The IGF and Conservation Force have partnered on projects from Conservation Force’s inception.  Bertrand des Clers, its past Executive Director, was a founding member of Conservation Force’s Board of Directors and took an active part in all phases of our development.  The IGF funded the monthly printing of the World Conservation Force Bulletin until after Prince Abdorezza’s death.  Yours truly, John Jackson, has served on IGF’s Board of Directors for nearly a decade.  The IGF Board itself voted on whether Philippe should and could serve on Conservation Force’s Board of Directors and approved the continued cooperation.

Philippe is a charming Frenchman with a twinkle in his eyes much like Bertrand des Clers.  He is a Ph.D. wildlife veterinarian, has been a licensed Professional Hunter and is as comfortable at darting and collaring Giant Lord Derby Eland and elephant as he is at releasing black rhino in Namibia’s communal conservancies.  He is as comfortable in the field as in the office.  He is the co-chair of IUCN’s Antelope Specialist Group and all which that entails.  He authored the “Chardonnet Lion Study” as it is commonly called (the correct title is Conservation of the African Lion: Contribution to a Status Survey, 2002).  It remains the most exhaustive study of any large cat in the world and has no equal.  Philippe and I together attended both African Lion Workshops where he provided an invaluable contribution to all.

Philippe was featured this year in Spotlight on SSC’s Unsung Heroes, an article in IUCN’s Species 45: January – June 2006, (Page 6) for his many conservation operations “ranging from wildlife management to rural development in Africa, Asia, South America and the South Pacific.”