SECRET WORLD WILDLIFE RESCUE - Key Persons
Chris is an English naturalist, nature photographer, television presenter and author, best known for his television work including the CBBC children's nature series The Really Wild Show from 1986 to 1995. He has also presented the BBC nature series Springwatch, including Autumnwatch and Winterwatch, since 2009.
Chris is a professional wildlife conservationist working for Hawk and Owl Trust. He also presents and broadcasts on TV and radio, lectures on a wide range of subjects, is a wildlife photographer, and writes articles for magazines and newspapers.
Chris is the charity's Chair of Trustees and also Honorary Treasurer. He is retired as a Chartered Financial Planner and lives in Exmouth, Devon. Chris is married to Sue and has three adult children and four grandchildren; the family home is also shared with a one-eyed rescue ginger cat called Chivers. He is interested in walking, reading, railways (both model and heritage steam) and investments. Chris is also the Treasurer of a Business Networking Group in his local area.
Daniel started working at Secret World at the beginning of 2017 as the Charity's Finance Officer. He has since moved on to dealing with all of the financial aspects of the charity; working closely with the Board of Trustees and the Secret World team to ensure that the charity remains financially secure and is able to meet its future needs.
Desmond is an English zoologist, ethologist and surrealist painter, as well as a popular author in human sociobiology. He is known for his 1967 book The Naked Ape, and for his television programmes such as Zoo Time.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Veterinary Surgeon
Dominic is a veterinary surgeon with 20 years of experience in British wildlife veterinary treatment and rehabilitation. After training as a Zoologist at the University of Bristol, he completed an MBA in London and worked in international business and consultancy before re-training as a vet at the University of Edinburgh. Dominic's veterinary career has covered farm animal, companion animal and wildlife clinical practice.
Having been a partner and director of a veterinary hospital and practice in Somerset for 15 years, Dominic is now combining his work in British wildlife with a post-graduate Master's degree programme in Conservation Medicine at his old vet school in Edinburgh.
Dr Chris Pawson is a psychologist and academic with expertise in child psychology, human-wildlife interaction, and conservation education. In the last 15 years Chris has worked for H.M Home Office, and in several universities where he conducts research and teaches psychology and non-human animal behaviour. Chris is passionate about the protection and preservation of wildlife. As a current member of the committee for the Lundy Field Society he is currently involved in a range of conservation education projects, and initiatives exploring human-wildlife interaction. Most recently his expertise in the field of gull behaviour and human-wildlife interaction has been deployed in schools outreach, and work with several local government councils. Chris tries to get to Lundy island and out on his paddleboard as often as possible.
Liz is one of only a few veterinary specialists in wildlife medicine, with 25 years' practical experience, and helps train and advise our animal care staff.
Liz worked for Quantock Veterinary Hospital for 17 years as Secret World Wildlife Rescue's main clinical vet. In 2012 she took on the role of Scientific Adviser to Secret World Wildlife Rescue. She is responsible for animal care and veterinary policy, helps run courses and liaises with other professional organisations.
Hannah is an accomplished zoologist, presenter and wildlife filmmaker with a love for creative natural history storytelling. She specialises in investigating the illegal wildlife trade on social media and has conducted extensive study into the subject.
She currently presents for BBC Earth online and is also part of BBC Springwatch digital team, and believes in creating innovative, content to reach out to new audiences
"Secret World is much more than a wildlife rehab centre, it is absolutely vital. The care and support given to every single animal that comes through their doors to ensure they live their lives the way they should is outstanding. I'm thrilled to become a patron for such an admirable charity especially in a time when our British wildlife needs all the help it can get."
Jilly is a journalist, animal lover, and author of many number one bestselling novels. She has been awarded honorary doctorates by the Universities of Gloucestershire and Anglia Ruskin and appointed CBE in 2018 for services to literature and charity.
Marie has a background in fundraising, community engagement and education with two music charities, SoCo Music Project and Evolve Music. She has a strong portfolio of fundraising success from a variety of sources and has experience in impact measurement and programme development that work across a range of areas and priorities. Marie is a Clore Leadership Programme Alumni and a member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, having achieved the Certificate in Fundraising.
She has a great passion for wildlife and the natural world, enjoying the countryside at every opportunity, whether that's foraging to make preserves/wines, taking her dogs for a walk, photography, or turning her hand to crafting inspired by nature. It is hugely important to her mental health and wellbeing. She is delighted to have joined the Board of Trustees in November 2020, whereby she looks forward to offering expertise and support to further the vision of Secret World Wildlife Rescue.
Martin is a British zoologist, natural history program producer, and presenter. He is best known for co-presenting the BBC magazine-style nature series Springwatch as well as its spin-offs, Winterwatch, Autumnwatch, and Springwatch Unsprung.
Michaela is one of TV's best loved wildlife presenters. She has a huge amount of enthusiasm and compassion for animals. Michaela is probably best known for presenting wildlife programmes, including The Really Wild Show, Elephant Diaries, Animal Rescue Squad, Countryfile, Springwatch, and Winterwatch.
"I've filmed at Secret World many times over the years and have always admired Pauline and her team. The work Secret World does in rescuing, rehabilitating, educating and campaigning, is completely amazing and it is a place which will always have my support and I'm honoured to be a patron."
Mike Dilger is an English ecologist, ornithologist, television presenter, and the wildlife reporter on the BBC television programme The One Show, where he is known as ‘their answer to Dr. Doolittle'.
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Charity Founder and Advisor
Pauline founded Secret World Wildlife Rescue after diversifying the family farm into a visitor experience. Pauline has thirty plus years' experience working with wildlife and is widely recognised for her skills in hand rearing newborn animals.
Well known for her love of badgers, Pauline has become synonymous with wildlife rescue and continues to work for the charity, supporting the wildlife and public relations functions.
Rhianna is an award-winning video game writer and journalist. Daughter of the late fantasy writer and friend of Secret World Wildlife Rescue Terry Pratchett, she continues his work supporting animal charities through The Discworld Foundation.
"As we continue to encroach on the natural world we must look to the likes of The Secret World to preserve and protect it for generations to come. Their dedication to maintaining the beauty and diversity of the world around us is as impressive as it is essential. They are true guardians of nature."
With his wife Joan, Roger has been involved in animal rescue for over thirty years, most recently caring for grounded bats. Roger and Joan believe wildlife rescue to be a way of life, a passion they share. Roger, a now retired Quantity Surveyor who worked on the Bluebell Barn project, in between working full-time, dedicates his time to caring for animals and relishes his role as Trustee which he started in 2017.
Simon is a British naturalist, author, conservationist, television presenter and cameraman, specialising in nature documentaries. He received an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society in 2011, and has been working in the field of natural history film making for over 30 years.
Valerie is an English television and radio presenter best known as a presenter of the popular children's series Blue Peter. She also presented the BBC Radio 4 PM programme for ten years as well as a series of radio and television programmes on financial and business issues.
"I have been a patron of Secret World Wildlife Rescue for many years and have enjoyed visiting and seeing how much the charity has progressed. It has retained its ethics of best care and every single animal is important to them."
Born and brought up in Somerset, Wendy has a good knowledge of the local community and native wildlife and has been aware of the work of Secret World Wildlife Rescue (SWWR) for many years. Since 2003 when Wendy and her husband moved to the Somerset Levels, they have been involved with SWWR, calling upon the charity to rescue, treat and release injured and distressed wildlife (mainly swans) around their home.
Wendy is an experienced Social Worker specialising in safeguarding, and currently works in mental health services. Wendy has joined the Board of Trustees, having recently come to the end of her nine-year term serving as a Trustee with another local Charity. Wendy can provide Secret World Wildlife Rescue with professional safeguarding advice, as well as oversee, monitor and evaluate safeguarding adherence in line with local guidelines and national legislation including safe recruitment practices and developing internal Safeguarding Policy and Procedure.