• African wildlife safari by Russ MacLaughlin

Celebrating our natural world heroes

Celebrating our natural world heroes

Our original Natural World Heroes campaign marked the 10-year anniversary of Natural World Safaris. To celebrate a decade of adventure in the natural world, we interviewed 10 extraordinary heroes that specialise in the destinations, wildlife and habitats that we take our clients to. After being enthralled by the stories of the first fascinating individuals that we featured, we felt that 10 wasn't enough! In the years since we have continued to feature new Natural World Heroes, allowing us to share more of what we love about these conservationists.

Our heroes may be explorers, philanthropists or pioneers. They may be wildlife guides, biologists or documentary-makers. Helping to preserve and raise awareness of precious flora and fauna, our heroes reach out to individuals, communities, countries, organisations and travellers, to share knowledge about the environment and conservation.

They help us to experience amazing wildlife and habitats in a responsible way, contributing to the future survival of some of the world’s most beautiful and fragile environments.

By profiling a selection of inspirational individuals we hope to highlight their commitment to safeguarding habitats, wildlife and the communities among them. We hope that this will motivate travellers and natural world enthusiasts everywhere to use their voice and take action to do the same, in whatever capacity they are able to.

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Our Natural World Heroes

Alan Rabinowitz, Natural World Hero - credit: Steve Winter

Alan Rabinowitz

As co-founder of the conservation organisation Panthera, Alan was instrumental in establishing seven significant protected areas for the world's big cats.

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Alexander Batalov

Alexander Batalov

Responsible for establishing and running the Durminskoye reserve to protect the Amur Tiger.

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Andrea Turkalo

Andrea Turkalo

Known as The Elephant Whisperer and considered to be the leading expert on Africa’s reclusive forest elephants.

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Aung Myo Chit in Myanmar | © Charlie Scott

Aung Myo Chit

The foremost figure in the world of Myanmar conservation, Aung Myo Chit has been influential in protecting his country's natural and cultural treasures.

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Bayarjargal Agvaantseren | © Goldman Environmental Prize

Bayarjargal Agvaantseren

The Founder of the Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation was instrumental in establishing the Tost Tosonbumba Nature Reserve in her native Mongolia.

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Charlotte Uhlenbroek

Charlotte Uhlenbroek

TV presenter and conservationist who spent four years studying chimpanzee communication.

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David Shepherd, Natural World Hero

David Shepherd

Wildlife artist and conservationist, and founder of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.

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Dominique Bikaba

Dominique Bikaba

Founder of the NGO Strong Roots, which helps the gorillas and local communities of the eastern DRC to thrive.

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E.O. Wilson in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

E.O. Wilson

Biologist, naturalist and celebrated scientific mind hailed as both "the father of sociobiology" and "the father of biodiversity".

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Dr Gladys Kalema Zikusoka

Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka

Distinguished and award winning conservationist and veterinarian who is the founder and CEO of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH).

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Dr Greg Rasmussen

Greg Rasmussen

Founder of the Painted Dog Research Trust, a conservation organisation dedicated to the endangered predator also known as the African wild dog.

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Hilary Bradt

Hilary Bradt

Pioneering author, wildlife enthusiast and intrepid traveller, Hilary Bradt.

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Howard Martenstyn

Howard Martenstyn

An independent marine researcher based in Sri Lanka.

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Jan Ramer

Jan Ramer

Vet and Regional Manager with the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project.

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Jean

Jean Labuschagne

Special Projects Manager at South African NGO African Parks and dedicated conservationist working in the DRC.

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Julian Matthews

Julian Matthews

Founder of the charity TOFTigers working to conserve tigers and their habitats.

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Kartick Satyanarayan at the Elephant Conservation & Care Centre in Uttar Pradesh, India | © Wildlife SOS

Kartick Satyanarayan

The CEO of Wildlife SOS has been instrumental in protecting India's prodigious biodiversity and providing sustainable livelihoods for communities who once exploited wildlife.

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Dr. Laurie Marker feeding an orphaned cheetah, Suzi Eszterhas/Courtesy of Cheetah Conservation Fund

Laurie Marker

Founder and Executive Director of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, and leading expert on this iconic big cat species.

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Mamy Razafitsalama teaching schoolchildren about conservation | © Planet Madagascar

Mamy Razafitsalama

In-Country Director and Operations Manager for Planet Madagascar, a community-driven conservation organisation.

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Maria Diekmann and REST staff tending to an injured animal | © REST Namibia

Maria Diekmann

Founder of the Rare & Endangered Species Trust and a key figure in the research and conservation of Namibia's lesser-known species, including the Cape pangolin.

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Patricia Medici

Patricia Medici

Patricia Medici has dedicated over 25 years of her life to crucial conservation efforts for the often-overlooked tapir.

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Dr. Wright in the rainforest at Miaranony

Patricia Wright

One of the world's foremost lemur experts and founder of Centre ValBio, a research station dedicated to conservation in Madagascar.

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Raoul du Toit tending to a tranquilised rhino

Raoul du Toit

Director of Zimbabwe's Lowveld Rhino Trust and a central figure in the conservation of African rhinos since the 1980s.

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Richard Roberts

Richard Roberts

Established the Mara Elephant Project to track and protect elephants in the Mara.

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Ruth Powys

Ruth Powys

Chief Executive of the charity Elephant Family, working to save the Asian elephant

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Siew Te Wong

Wong Siew Te

CEO and founder of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.

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