Naturalist and Presenter David Bellamy Has Passed Away at 86

The naturalist and broadcaster David Bellamy has died aged 86.

Mr Bellamy’s passing was announced by David Shreeve, the Director of the Conservation Foundation of which Bellamy was a co-founder and President.

David Bellamy was well-known as a TV personality, scientist and conservationist, hosting shows including Bellamy On Botany, Bellamy’s Britain, Bellamy’s Europe and Bellamy’s Backyard Safari. In 1979 he won Bafta’s Richard Dimbleby Award for best presenter of factual programmes.

He gained public recognition for his work as an environmental consultant over the Torrey Canyon oil spill, when a tanker was shipwrecked off the coast of Cornwall in 1967.

He did, however attract criticism when, in 2003 he told BBC News that he was sceptical about mankind being responsible for rising temperatures.

Tributes to Mr Bellamy have been paid on social media, including from fellow well-known naturalists.

Mr Bellamy was a former Patron of IEEM. A number of CIEEM members will have benefitted from his teaching whilst studying at Durham University, where he was Professor of Botany.