Environmental leading light, Lord Cranbrook, rewarded for work by Duke of Edinburgh

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) presented the 2014 Duke of Edinburgh Conservation Award to noted conservationist Gathorne Gathorne-Hardy, Fifth Earl of Cranbrook.

For more than 50 years, Lord Cranbrook, of Great Glemham House, near Saxmundham, has been a global leader in the fields of mammalogy, ornithology and zooarchaeology.

His career began with academic research on cave swiftlets – a bird species unique for its use of echolocation and for building edible nests.

Since then, he has written or contributed to more than a dozen books, including Mammals of Borneo (1965), Wild Mammals of Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia) and Singapore (1968) and Birds of the Malay Peninsula (with DR Wells, 1976).

This year’s award was presented with a gold medal in a sustainably-sourced rosewood box, from the Chamber of Mines of South Africa, by The Duke of Edinburgh during a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Lord Cranbrook, who has also advocated for the environment in the House of Lords, said: “To receive the accolade of WWF’s Duke of Edinburgh Conservation Award is a great distinction.

“I accept it proudly, not for myself, but for the many people whom I have worked with in the challenging field of wildlife conservation.

“The patronage of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh has been inspiring, and the annual presentation of this award gives encouragement to all of us who strive for a future where environmental conservation will be truly recognised as an imperative for all inhabitants of this world.”

WWF UK chief executive said David Nussbaum, said: “In everything he has contributed to conservation, Gathorne’s passion for field work, and his enthusiasm to share, teach and encourage, has shone through.

“His appreciation of the wonder and value of nature, coupled with an unwavering scientific rigour when communicating with politicians, peers and students alike, has provided us with a conservationist truly worthy of this award.”