Laurier mourns the passing of pioneering scientist Anne Innis Dagg

April 3, 2024

Wilfrid Laurier University is saddened by the passing of Anne Innis Dagg, a pioneering zoologist, biologist, animal rights activist, feminist and teacher with strong connections to the Laurier community. Anne passed away on April 1, 2024 at the age of 91.

In 1956, Anne travelled to South Africa and became the first western researcher to study giraffes in the wild. She was just 23 years old at the time. Upon returning to Canada a year later, Anne faced barriers as a female scientist in a male-dominated profession – leading to her lifelong advocacy for gender equality, particularly in academia. She later received worldwide recognition for her groundbreaking scientific work.

Anne earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology (1955) and master’s in genetics (1956) at the University of Toronto. In 1967, she graduated from the University of Waterloo with a PhD in animal behaviour. Among her many works are 60 scientific papers and 24 books including Pursuing Giraffe: A 1950s Adventure (published by Laurier’s WLU Press in 2006), 5 Giraffes (2016), and Smitten by Giraffe: My Life as a Citizen Scientist (2016). Her 1976 book Giraffe: Biology, Behaviour and Conservation is known as the definitive book on giraffes and continues to be used by scientists. In 2018, the award-winning documentary The Woman Who Loves Giraffes told Anne’s life story.

Each year, Laurier celebrates Anne’s contributions and achievements with the annual Anne Innis Dagg lecture. Established by the Department of Biology to honour the groundbreaking work of its namesake, the lecture series invites notable Canadian women studying animal biology to share their work. The most recent Anne Innis Dagg lecture was held March 7, 2024, with Anne in attendance. Laurier also recently hosted the travelling “Anne Innis Dagg Exhibit: Musings of a Scientist, Feminist, Activist,” featuring artifacts and writings associated with Anne’s career.

Anne’s many honours include being appointed a member of the Order of Canada; named an honorary member of the Canadian Society of Zoologists and honorary lifetime member of the Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution; and being awarded the Laurence J. Burpee Medal of Honour from the Royal Canadian Geographic Society. In 2010, she received the pioneer award from the Association of Giraffe Care Professionals and in 2016 was presented the lifetime achievement award from the International Giraffid Conference.

Continuing her pioneering work, Anne’s foundation, the Anne Innis Dagg Foundation, aims to “preserve a thriving and diverse planet by promoting the harmonious coexistence of humans and wildlife through the integration of conservation and education.”

Anne is remembered by her family, friends and colleagues for her unbreakable spirit, infectious laugh and steadfast determination. In lieu of flowers, Anne has asked that people direct donations to her foundation. As per Anne’s wishes there will be no funeral, but her ashes will be spread on the breeding grounds of her beloved giraffes when her daughter, Mary, returns to South Africa this summer.