Animal conservationist Stella Marsden (nee Brewer) is to receive an honorary degree from the University of Glasgow to mark her commitment to the protection of wildlife. She will receive an honorary Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery on Saturday, 1 July 2006

Dedicated to the rehabilitation of chimpanzees since she began looking after them in 1969, Stella Marsden has established the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Trust in The Gambia, as well as a number of initiatives to raise funds for the rehabilitation projects. These include the establishment of a camp, benefiting both the project and the local community in The Gambia where low volume, high value visits can take place and visitors can witness the chimps returned to their natural environment.

Stella, together with her sister, has also set up The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust which helps local farmers improve the work capacity of their draught animals by addressing animal welfare. Already, using novel incentives such as the reward of Scottish football jerseys, the resulting improvement in husbandry has seen a 400% increase in village productivity.

Due to a Sponsorship Scheme established by Stella in the local primary school in Sembal Kunda, more than 150 children are now enrolled due to benefaction arising from the initiative.

Stella was awarded an OBE in the 2006 New Years Honours List for services to wildlife conservation and to the local community in The Gambia.

Kate Richardson (K.richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk)

Photographers are invited to attend the graduation ceremony where Stella Marsden will receive her honorary degree on 1 July. The ceremony commences at 11am so photographers are asked to meet a University Media Relations Officer at the door to turret G in the cloisters at 10.45am. There may also be an opportunity to take photos of Stella after the ceremony.

Please let a Media Relations Officer know if you wish to attend the ceremony by phoning 0141 330 3535 or emailing K.Richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk

First published: 29 June 2006