Conservation legend Ian Player dies
NATURE conservation lost a pioneering legend yesterday when Dr Ian Player died after a short illness.
The 87-year-old, who suffered a stroke on Thursday, died at his home in Karkloof Valley, KwaZulu-Natal, shortly after midday yesterday.
Player, the older brother of golfer Gary Player, was surrounded by his family, the Wilderness Foundation said.
Player changed the face of conservation through tirelessly committing his life to the cause.
He spearheaded Operation Rhino in the 1950s, which saw many of the remaining population of southern white rhinos captured and moved to save them from extinction.
Wilderness Foundation chief executive Dr Andrew Muir said the organisation's support went to the family.
"It was Dr Player's wish to have a private family funeral service. A memorial service will be held in due course," Muir said.
Player's awards range from Knight in the Order of the Golden Ark (Holland) to a decoration for Meritorious Service (Republic of South Africa civilian award).
Player also founded the globally recognised Wilderness Leadership School after taking early retirement from the Natal Parks Board in 1974.
His early retirement was the result of a decision to turn his attention to nature conservation in the NGO sector, which saw him become the founding force of the Wilderness Foundation (Africa), Wilderness Foundation (UK), WILD Foundation (US) and the Magqubu Ntombela Memorial Foundation.
When not saving the environment, he was enjoying one of his favourite hobbies, canoeing.
Player was one of eight adventurers that set off on the first ever Dusi canoe marathon in 1951 and was the only finisher, becoming the first champion of the paddling and portaging ultra-marathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
Next year's edition of the Dusi will be held in special tribute to Player, who maintained very close ties with the race that he helped found 64 years ago.
"We are devastated by the news that Dr Player has passed away," Dusi general manager Brett Austen Smith said.
"He was a truly great South African, a man whose vision and perspective was quite inspiring."
Player also wrote several books, including White Rhino Saga and Zululand Wilderness Shadow. His biography, Into the River of Life, was published last year.
"He committed his life to conservation and, in particular, to the preservation of the rhino through his services as a consultant to many organisations," Muir said.
"Despite life-long physical challenges that increased with age, he nonetheless worked tirelessly on his life's work for wild nature."
Player is survived by his wife, Ann, sons Kenneth and Amyas and daughter Jessica. - Tremaine van Aardt
