Nathan Jamieson Memorial Fund

A tribute to an extraordinary man – Nathan Jamieson

It is with the deepest regret that Nathan Jamieson, Elephant Manager of Abu’s Elephant Back Safaris camp in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, died on the 20th of October 2010, in a tragic accident with an elephant.

Nathan had worked with a variety of animals from giraffes and rhinos to gorillas and chimpanzees before his passion for elephants took centre stage. But irrespective of the species, his commitment to learning about his subjects knew no bounds. With an open mind and an enviable natural ability to think outside the box, he often succeeded in stimulating the animals in a unique and original fashion. Having most recently worked at Taronga and Western Plains Zoos in Australia, Nathan’s work with elephants had previously taken him as far afield as Thailand and Canada before he joined Abu’s Elephant Back Safaris in March 2010. As a well-respected elephant handler, Nathan had also travelled internationally to give talks and share his elephant knowledge with fellow specialists.

Caring, family-oriented and big-hearted, Nathan would always make time to listen to other people’s problems, yet he retained a mischievous trait and his light-hearted, fun-filled character would dominate many a party. Above all though, he was an explorer and adventurer, both literally and in a quest to stretch his mind and provoke the thoughts of his friends and colleagues. His cell phone welcome message, “I own my own destiny” aptly illustrates his outlook on life as does one of his favourite quotes by Robert Frost: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference.”

Nathan was one of the few people in the world who genuinely loved what he did and considered the Okavango Delta the ultimate location to practice his craft. In the relatively short time he was at Abu, he was constantly striving to improve upon elephant training techniques and collate as much information as possible to further enhance his understanding of the animals he so admired.

His passion for conservation and love for elephants enthused and motivated those around him. He was and will remain an inspiration to all that knew him and our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.

The Nathan Jamieson Memorial Fund

During his time in Botswana, Nathan came to know Dr. Mike Chase. The two established an immediate rapport, and Nathan admired the work that “Elephant Without Borders” is doing for wild elephants across the region. Thus, Nathan's family and friends have asked Dr. Chase if he would establish and maintain a Memorial Fund in honour of Nathan and the work Nathan did.

If you would like to donate to this fund in memory of Nathan, please **Click here** Importantly, please contact us at info@elephantswithoutborders.org to specify your donation to this fund.

All funds donated will go towards the collaring of a wild bull elephant, which will become part of this important study, and will be named in Nathan's honour. EWB will post regular reports on the movements and activities of the elephant, for friends, family and donors to follow.

Video “A tribute to an extraordinary man – Nathan Jamieson”

Sincere Gratitude to Nathan Jamieson Memorial Fund Donors