Owner of the Living with Elephants Foundation in Botswana, Douglas Groves was killed by a wild elephant in the Okavango Delta on Friday, August 28.
Douglas Groves had dedicated his life to rehabilitating elephants.
‘I am devastated to inform you that our beloved Doug Groves, passed away on Friday,’ his wife Sandi Groves wrote on Facebook. ‘While Doug was out in the bush it appears that he was killed by a wild elephant. I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone who is helping and giving support during this very difficult time.’
The exact circumstances of his death are not clear.
Groves was born in the United States and worked with animals in wildlife parks in the USA for 15 years before he moved to South Africa in 1987. ‘Doug has since been involved in numerous research, educational, film and eco-tourism projects involving African Elephants,’ his website reads.
He and Sandi have dedicated their lives to care for elephants in need and promoting conservation through educating people about the emotional, physical, intellectual and nutritional well-being of these gentle giants.
The Living with Elephants Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to caring for rescued African Elephants in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Currently in the sanctuary are Jabu and Morula, two elephants who were orphaned during a culling in the Kruger National Park.
Take a look at Groves treating Jabu for an infection:
Image credit: Facebook/Douglas Groves
