A Life Among Elephants

A sweeping, heartfelt portrait of a life devoted to elephants, blending breathtaking wildlife footage with a personal, inspiring conservation story.

Directed by

Nigel Pope

Genres

Documentary

Starring

Iain Douglas-Hamilton, Saba Douglas-Hamilton, Dudu Douglas-Hamilton

Tagline

The story of legendary elephant scientist Iain Douglas-Hamilton.

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.

How it feels

Earnest, warm, uplifting and melancholic. Measured and needs your attention.

About

Nature, environment, survival, family

Content

Mild violence. No gore, sexual content or swearing.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)