GLOUCESTERSHIRE Badger Trust (GBT) has welcomed a world renowned tropical field biologist and conservationist as its new patron.

Ian Redmond OBE, DSc, FLS, a devoted campaigner for endangered species, and his 40-year career in the field has included setting up the UN Great Ape Survival Partnership.

He also continues to chair the Ape Alliance and campaign for elephant and forest conservation from his office in Stroud.

Earlier this year, Ian featured on the BBC’s tribute programme marking Sir David Attenborough’s 90th birthday in which he described a famous incident between the beloved broadcaster and a group of gorillas in 1978.

Ian was working as a junior researcher at the time on Sir David’s Life on Earth TV series, which was being filmed at Karisoke Research Centre in Rwanda.

“We are honoured to have Ian Redmond as our patron, and we think it will be a great boost to the group and badger conservation in the county,” said Tina Martin, chair of GBT.

Last month, Ian hosted an event at the Old Town Hall in Stroud to raise awareness locally about our relationship with badgers.

“Badgers are beautiful, fascinating animals,” he said.

“I first went badger-watching as a boy in East Yorkshire, and now am excited to be able to film them with a camera-trap in my garden in Stroud.”