Renowned UCT ornithologist dies
2013-01-24 20:40
Johannesburg - Renowned ornithologist Professor Phil
Hockey died on Thursday of cancer, the University of Cape Town (UCT) said.
"Professor Hockey's impact and leadership in
ornithology has been exemplary, and is appreciated by a wide range of the
ornithological sector," Dr Rob Little, the manager of the Centre of
Excellence at the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology at UCT,
said in a statement.
"He will be remembered for his vast contribution to
avian literature, both scientific and popular. He touched the hearts and lives
of many people, from deeply insightful discussions about birds to warm
interactions on life itself."
Hockey was the director of the institute, which focused
on the study of birds (ornithology).
UCT vice-chancellor Dr Max Price said in an earlier
tribute to Hockey that people looked up to him.
"To the thousands of students who have passed
through his classes, Professor Hockey was guru, kind father-figure, field
supervisor and teacher. He was a much-loved member of UCT," he said.
The university extended its condolences to Hockey's wife,
Samantha.
Hockey led research expeditions to Chile, the Canary
Island, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Kenya, Madagascar, the Arabian Gulf and Namibia.
He was a co-author of the regional field guide, Sasol
Birds of Southern Africa.
Hockey was born in England in 1956 and obtained his BSc
honours degree in Ecological Science at Edinburgh University in 1977.
He moved to South Africa and joined the institute in
1979.
In 2008, Hockey was awarded the Stevenson-Hamilton Medal
of the Zoological Society of Southern Africa for contributions to the public
awareness of science.
- SAPA
