Akashinga acknowledges with respect the passing of Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton, founder of Save the Elephants and a conservationist whose work contributed to a deeper understanding of elephant behaviour and strengthened the case for protecting the ecosystems on which elephants and communities depend.

Over several decades, his research and advocacy helped illuminate the social complexity of elephant societies and the interconnected pressures they face from habitat loss, fragmentation, and human activity. This work helped shape contemporary conservation thinking and informed practice across many parts of Africa, reinforcing the understanding that wildlife protection cannot be separated from the people who live alongside these species, nor from the long-term health of land, water, and migratory pathways.

Conservation endures through collective effort — grounded in community leadership, local knowledge, and long-term stewardship. Within this broader movement, D rDouglas-Hamilton’s contributions formed part of a shared commitment to ensuring elephants can continue to move, live, and adapt within resilient, living landscapes.

We honour his role in advancing elephant conservation and extend our respect to the communities, practitioners, and researchers continuing this work, now and into the future.

Banner photo courtesy of the Indianapolis Zoo.