Zoological honour

23 April 2009

Two academics from LJMU’s School of Natural Sciences & Psychology have been made Honorary Fellows of the North of England Zoological Society (NEZS), the charitable trust that runs Chester Zoo, for their outstanding scientific contributions to conservation, animal welfare and education-related research in collaboration with NEZS. They are part of a group of six people who have been given Honorary Fellowships by the Society.

Professor Filippo Aureli has been made Honorary Scientific Fellow and Dr Simon Dowell has been made an Honorary Conservation Fellow, titles which will be held for three years.

Professor Filippo Aureli started to collaborate with the North of England Zoological Society in 2000 as a Research Associate and has published several articles on the Chester Zoo animals, such as chimpanzees, spider monkeys and coatis. With the support of the North of England Zoological Society, he has successfully conducted field work on spider monkeys in Mexico and Costa Rica. Over the years they have become the longest continuous projects on this little known species.

Dr Simon Dowell’s association with the Zoo began in 2002 when interest in his research on endangered birds in Sichuan led to the establishment of the Sichuan Forest Biodiversity Project - a key element of Chester Zoo’s Outreach Programme for China.

The Sichuan project has supported the development of three exciting new nature reserves which protect, amongst other things, both Giant and Red Pandas, Black Bears, rare pheasants, endemic frogs and many beautiful plants including the rare Dove Tree.

Simon commented: “We are now working with the local Yi people in the area to encourage more sustainable forest management practices that will also improve their living standards. None of this would have been possible without the active support of Chester Zoo. I look forward to further strengthening my relationship with the Zoo and communicating the success of the Sichuan project to members, visitors and supporters.”

Roger Wilkinson, Chester Zoo’s Head of Field Programmes and Research, commented: “These fellowships recognise outstanding research, scientific and conservation work by six dedicated individuals who have helped us in our mission to conserve biodiversity worldwide.”

“There is extraordinary work being done in the name of conservation and the geographic spread of our fellows – from Liverpool to the Philippines – is testimony to that fact.”

Pictures
Top: Professor Filippo Aureli (right); bottom: Dr Simon Dowell