The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) has appointed a new president: Professor Roger Wheater OBE FRSE.

Speaking following the announcement, Dennis Dick, SWT’s chair, said: “Professor Wheater has always been linked closely with SWT and so it is only right that this position formally recognises his role as an ambassador for the trust.

“I hope that his connections and experience can strengthen SWT’s influence in wildlife conservation particularly as we strive to meet the challenges that lie ahead.”

The post of president is held for two years and is designed to support the chair in many of the public duties required; from assisting with fundraising initiatives to giving lectures on behalf of the trust, the president will play a vital role in raising SWT’s profile.

Professor Wheater said: “I am delighted and honoured to accept this position. I have been involved at some level with SWT since its early days and never has there been a time where its influence is more important. I hope that I can contribute in some way to raising awareness of issues affecting wildlife.”

Professor Wheater is a well known ecologist and zoologist. His great interest in wildlife and wild places led to his appointment as chief warden of the Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda. He held the post for 10 years until he was appointed director of Uganda National Parks in 1970.

He came to Scotland in 1972 to take up the appointment of director of The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland with responsibility for Edinburgh Zoo and later the Highland Wildlife Park.

In 1985 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and in 1991received an OBE for his contribution to conservation. In 1997 he became deputy chair of the government’s conservation advisors: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), and chaired SNH’s Beaver Working Group and the Access Forum until 2002. From 2000 until last year he was chair of the National Trust for Scotland.