Iain Douglas-Hamilton, who passed away aged 83 in Nairobi, was a renowned zoologist and pioneering African elephant conservationist. Born in England, he studied biology and zoology before moving to Tanzania to research elephant behavior in the wild. His work involved tracking elephants by their unique ear and skin markings, highlighting their complex social lives and similarities to humans. Douglas-Hamilton's research revealed the scale of poaching, earning him recognition as an influential conservationist. He founded Save the Elephants in 1993, focusing on safeguarding elephants and increasing understanding of their behavior. His advocacy was instrumental in achieving the 1989 international ban on commercial ivory trade and later influenced near-total ivory import bans by China and the US in 2015. Douglas-Hamilton's dedication came with personal risks, including attacks from elephants, poachers, and natural hazards. Esteemed figures such as Prince William and Jane Goodall praised Douglas-Hamilton’s lifelong commitment. Despite setbacks, including a flood destroying his research facility, he remained hopeful for a future ethic of human-elephant coexistence. He leaves behind his wife, children, and grandchildren, continuing a substantial legacy in the fight against elephant poaching and conservation.