Hamish Saunders (New Zealand, 7 June 1976 – 15 April 2003)
Puerto Ayora, Galapagos, 2003
An all-round adventurer. In 26 years, Hamish did what most people only dream of doing.
Antarctica, Central America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. He combined his desire to explore the world with his passion for conservation. Not only did he travel around all these places, but he explored their cultures and touched many lives.
So it was that Hamish came to work at the Charles Darwin Foundation in March 2002 as a volunteer in the Botanical Department.
He worked mainly on GIS projects, including the interpretation of satellite images to show the distribution of the invasive species, Cascarilla. He also collaborated on the mark-recapture lobster project, undertaking day and night diving operations. Hamish was a born photographer. He left us images of Galapagos (terrestrial and marine) which show his skill and his perception of these islands.
During the six months that he spent at the Charles Darwin Foundation, he won the friendship of all those he met with his personality and sense of humour. He also earned the respect of his colleagues with his initiative and his excellent results.
After leaving Galapagos, Hamish followed his passion for conservation work and nature. This took him to Tasmania, where he worked as a volunteer monitoring endangered species on the Pedra Branca Isle.
It was here that a tragic accident took the life of this young scientist who still had so much to offer. A freak storm blew up and Hamish was swept off the rock by a giant wave as he tried to find refuge with his three companions on the highest point of the rock. Police and rescue units searched for his body for several days, but he was not found.
Hamish's parents (Judy and David Saunders) got in touch with his close friends in Galapagos to give them the bad news. On Monday 22nd April, his family and friends gathered in New Zealand to celebrate Hamish's life.
Our sense of loss is unmeasurable, but our biggest consolation is that Hamish lived life to the full, giving us an unforgettable example to follow. A great friend, dedicated professional, diver, surfer, photographer, writer among many other talents. His website gives us an idea of what a special person he was.
His family have established the Hamish Saunders Conservation Trust in order to support marine conservation in New Zealand.
In the words of Judy, "Right now, we want to get over the accident to be able to truly celebrate who he was and what he defended."
The Charles Darwin Foundation joins this cause.
We miss you, Hamish.
Press Contact:
Charles Darwin Research Station
Galapagos-Ecuador
E-mail: cdrs@fcdarwin.org.ec
Visit: www.darwinfoundation.org
Phone/Fax: 593-5-526-147/146