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A Life Among Elephants

"The story of legendary elephant scientist Iain Douglas-Hamilton."

60 years ago, almost nothing was known of elephants in the wild. But then one young Scottish biologist changed that forever. In 1965 Iain Douglas-Hamilton arrived in Tanzania to live alongside African elephants. Later joined by his wife Oria and daughters Saba and Dudu, elephants became central to their lives with matriarch Boadicea and gentle young mother Virgo cherished like human relatives. But this garden Eden was short-lived as an ivory poaching epidemic swept across Africa forcing Iain to switch from pioneering scientist to maverick conservationist. He became a lone crusader against the international Ivory trade which was finally banned in 1989. Now back in the field and revealing even more about the fascinating world of elephants, Iain’s work continues alongside a new generation of Kenyan conservationists. This inspiring documentary combines stunning wildlife imagery with the story of a remarkable life showing how sometimes you have to stand alone to protect what you love.

Top Cast

  • Iain Douglas-Hamilton

    Iain Douglas-Hamilton

    Self - Portrait Subject & Interviewee

  • Saba Douglas-Hamilton

    Saba Douglas-Hamilton

    Self - Interviewee

  • Dudu Douglas-Hamilton

    Dudu Douglas-Hamilton

    Self - Interviewee

  • Oria Douglas-Hamilton

    Oria Douglas-Hamilton

    Self - Interviewee

  • Jane Goodall

    Jane Goodall

    Self - Interviewee

  • David Daballen

    David Daballen

    Self - Interviewee

  • Frank Pope

    Frank Pope

    Self - Interviewee

  • Festus Ihwagi

    Festus Ihwagi

    Self - Interviewee

  • David H.M. Cumming

    David H.M. Cumming

    Self - Interviewee (archive footage)

Overview

60 years ago, almost nothing was known of elephants in the wild. But then one young Scottish biologist changed that forever. In 1965 Iain Douglas-Hamilton arrived in Tanzania to live alongside African elephants. Later joined by his wife Oria and daughters Saba and Dudu, elephants became central to their lives with matriarch Boadicea and gentle young mother Virgo cherished like human relatives. But this garden Eden was short-lived as an ivory poaching epidemic swept across Africa forcing Iain to switch from pioneering scientist to maverick conservationist. He became a lone crusader against the international Ivory trade which was finally banned in 1989. Now back in the field and revealing even more about the fascinating world of elephants, Iain’s work continues alongside a new generation of Kenyan conservationists. This inspiring documentary combines stunning wildlife imagery with the story of a remarkable life showing how sometimes you have to stand alone to protect what you love.

Rating

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1 Reviews
1 Popular

Trailers & Clips

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