Ian Player
Encyclopedia
Dr. Ian Player DMS is an international conservationist.
, Johannesburg, South Africa and served in the 6th South African Armoured Division attached to the American 5th Army in Italy 1944–46.
His conservation career started with the Natal Parks Board in 1952 and whilst Warden of the Umfolozi Game Reserve, he spearheaded two key initiatives:
Dr Player is the Founder of the Wilderness Leadership School.
This led to the formation of the International Wilderness Leadership Foundation (WILD)], the Wilderness Foundation SA, Wilderness Foundation UK, Magqubu Ntombela Foundation not to mention the World Wilderness Congresses, first convened in 1977.
Amongst many orders and awards he counts Knight of the Order of the Golden Ark
and the Decoration for Meritorious Service (the highest Republic of South African civilian award).
He is the recipient two honorary doctorates:
Dr Player is also the brother of professional golfer Gary Player
Biography
Player was educated at St. John’s CollegeSt John's College (Johannesburg, South Africa)
St John's College is a private school for boys in Houghton, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.-History:St John's College was founded in Johannesburg on 1 August 1898 and is an Anglican school....
, Johannesburg, South Africa and served in the 6th South African Armoured Division attached to the American 5th Army in Italy 1944–46.
His conservation career started with the Natal Parks Board in 1952 and whilst Warden of the Umfolozi Game Reserve, he spearheaded two key initiatives:
- Operation Rhino - that saved the few remaining southern race of white rhino
- Protected status for the Umfolozi and St. Lucia Wilderness Areas - The first wilderness areas to be zoned in South Africa and on the African continent.
Dr Player is the Founder of the Wilderness Leadership School.
This led to the formation of the International Wilderness Leadership Foundation (WILD)], the Wilderness Foundation SA, Wilderness Foundation UK, Magqubu Ntombela Foundation not to mention the World Wilderness Congresses, first convened in 1977.
Amongst many orders and awards he counts Knight of the Order of the Golden Ark
Order of the Golden Ark
The Most Excellent Order of the Golden Ark was established by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands in 1971 as an order of merit. Although not awarded by, it is recognized by the government of the Netherlands as a legal order. It is awarded to people for major contributions to nature conservation...
and the Decoration for Meritorious Service (the highest Republic of South African civilian award).
He is the recipient two honorary doctorates:
- Doctor of Philosophy, Honoris Causa from the University of Natal
- Doctor of Laws (LLD) (h.c.) from Rhodes University.
Dr Player is also the brother of professional golfer Gary Player
Gary Player
Gary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six...
Selected Works
- Men, Rivers and CanoesMen, Rivers and CanoesThe Dusi Canoe Marathon was started by Ian Player in the early 1950s and this book tells the story of how it all began.The first edition of Men, Rivers and Canoes was published in 1964, and reissued in 2007 in South Africa ISBN 978-0-9802501-2-1...
– 1964 - Reissued 2007 - ISBN 978-0-9802501-2-1 - White Rhino Saga – 1972 - ISBN 978-0-0021193-8-2
- Big Game – 1972 - ASIN: B0007BO5E4
- Man and the Wilderness – 1986 - ASIN: B0007BQ0FG
- Zululand Wilderness: Shadow and Soul – 1997 - ISBN 9780864863409 - http://www.wild.org/Store/Publications/Zulu_Wilderness.htm
- Ian Player Perspective, stories by and about Dr. Ian Player
External links
- WILD Foundation
- Wilderness Foundation SA
- Wilderness Foundation UK and articles about him on their blog