Sir Hugh Elliott

The ‘Independent’ and the’ Times’ carried obituaries in January 1990 on the late Sir Hugh Elliott Bt who has died, after a long illness, at the age of 76. He first entered the Colonial Service in Tanganyika in 1937.

He made one of his most important contributions to wildlife conservation in Tanganyika in 1956 when, as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources, he greatly facilitated the work of Professor W. H. Pearsall, whom the Fauna Preservation Society had sent out to conduct an ecological survey of the Serengeti National Park. The Pearsall Report saved parts of the park from agricultural development. The ‘Independent’ wrote that it was not too much to say that it was largely due to Elliott’s behind the scenes influence at that time that present-day Tanzania owed the preservation in pristine condition of its two greatest tourist assets, the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. Sir Hugh, who was described as quiet, humorous, and sympathetic, subsequently worked in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. He was a well-known ornithologist.

He is survived by his wife Elizabeth with whom he was able to celebrate his golden wedding only a few days before his death and by their son, the ornithologist Dr Clive Elliott and two daughters.