Photographs by Krissie Clark/PAMS Foundation
The world suffered a tremendous loss last night when leading South African elephant conversationalist, Wayne Lotter, was shot and killed by an unknown gunman in Tanzania.
A distinguished member of the international conservation community, Lotter had served on numerous boards of prominent groups and was the Vice President of the International Ranger Federation; all this in addition to his work as a director for PAMS Foundation, a non-profit organization he co-founded with Krissie Clark in 2009, to provide conservation and anti-poaching support to communities and governments in Africa.
According to an article in the Guardian, Lotter, who had previously received death threats relating to his work, was en route to his hotel from the airport when two men, one armed with a gun, stopped his car, opened the door, and shot him.
The PAMS Foundation shared the tragic news on its Facebook page today noting that Tanzanian police are currently investigating the crime that stole the 51-year-old wildlife conservationist’s life.
The heartfelt post reads as follows:
We are heartbroken to share the news that PAMS Foundation co-founder, Wayne Lotter was shot and killed last night in the Masa-ki District of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Wayne devoted his life to Africa’s wildlife, from working as a ranger in his native South Africa as a young man to leading the charge against poaching in Tanzania. Wayne cared deeply about the people and animals that populate this world. In 2009, he teamed up with Krissie Clark and Ally Namangaya to form the PAMS Foundation. Together they worked tirelessly with communities in Tanzania to protect the country’s wildlife.
Wayne believed communities were the best protectors of the continent’s animals. Through his work with PAMS, he helped train thousands of village game scouts in every corner of the country. His ground-breaking work in developing an intelligence-based approach to anti-poaching helped successfully reverse the rampant rates of poaching facing Tanzania.
Wayne’s charm, brilliance and eccentric sense of humor gave him the unique ability to make those around him constantly laugh and smile. He died bravely fighting for the cause he was most passionate about.
Wayne leaves behind his wife Inge, daughters Cara Jayne and Tamsin, and parents Vera and Charles Lotter. We all grieve with his family, colleagues, and friends. His legacy will continue in our work.
