Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton, CBE - Founder of Save The Elephants

Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton and Felix Appelbe's collaboration began with a shared passion for wildlife conservation, particularly focused on elephants. In 1993, this mutual interest led them to co-found Save the Elephants, an organization that would grow to become a respected global charity in elephant conservation.

Felix served as a Trustee for many years, contributing his legal expertise and organisational skills to complement Iain's scientific knowledge. Their collaboration was instrumental in transforming Save the Elephants from a late-night discussion around a campfire to an important and well-known global charity.

After stepping down as a Trustee in recent years, Felix has continued to support Save The Elephants’ mission, including establishing an annual prize for the ground staff member who had contributed the most, in practical terms, within the past year. This innovative approach recognises the vital role of local staff in conservation efforts and as always is aligned with Felix's belief in nurturing up-and-coming talent and those who are committed to making real-world change. This award is presented annually around the camp-fire, in remembrance of Felix and Ians’ original discussions around the campfire late last night, which led directly to the formation of Save The Elephants in the first instance.

The lasting impact of their collaboration has significantly contributed to elephant conservation efforts and raised global awareness about the challenges these magnificent creatures face.