 30 Mar 2004 - The search for a full-time executive director is over
Image Caption - Dr. Aldo Berruti at the recent Birdlife International World Conference in Durban
Dr. Aldo Berruti is a respected ornithologist, researcher, conservationist and organiser. As immediate past director of BirdLife South Africa, he is uniquely qualified to lead AGRED.
Born in Durban, Aldo Berruti has always been interested in birds and wildlife, obtaining a B.Sc. Hons cum laude at the University of Natal in Durban in 1973. His first job took him to the Percy FitzPatrick Institute between 1974-1980, working first on sub-Antarctic Marion Island and then at Lake St Lucia before returning to Marion Island again.
He obtained a M.Sc. on albatrosses from the University of Cape Town. Joining the Sea Fisheries Institute (now Marine and Coastal Management) in 1981, he obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Natal on gannet fishery interactions, then joined the Durban Natural Science Museum in 1988. His duties here were varied including scientific editor of the museum journal that he revamped entirely, and contributions to public displays. During this stint, he led the South African bid to win the International Ornithological Congress, the oldest and largest scientific ornithological meeting in the world.
His research career included 68 scientific papers and notes as author or co-author. in addition he contributed 45 species accounts in the Atlas of Southern African birds. He co-supervised two post-graduate students and has taken part in several Environmental Impact assessments, including the St Lucia dune-mining issue.
In 1967, Aldo joined the then South African Ornithological Society, becoming Director In 1996, having served on Council as Chairman of the Scientific Committee from 1989-1996 and in several other roles within the society. Between 1996 and 2004, BirdLife South Africa has grown enormously in policy, direction, budget, staffing and number of programmes, becoming one of the big South African conservation NGOs.
Aldo helped build an excellent international reputation for BirdLife South Africa in the BirdLife International Partnership, confirmed at the hosting of the World Conference of BirdLife International in March 2004. Aldo was Secretary-general of the 22nd International Ornithological Congress in Durban in August 1998, a member of the Global Council of BirdLife International (2000-2004), Chairman of the African Partnership in 1998 and 1999, and a member of the African regional Committee from 1998-2004. He is a trustee of the National Trust of BirdLife South Africa and a member of the South African International Ornithological Committee.
In 2004 he was awarded a Partnership Award at the BirdLife International World Conference, hosted by BirdLife South Africa in 2004.
Aldo has always promoted understanding of birds and birding to the general public, giving perhaps 200 popular lectures over the years, running birding courses and writing a great many popular articles. He co-authored two popular books: 'Where to Watch Birds in Southern Africa' (with Ina Sinclair) and 'Discovering Birds' (with Maggie Newman).
He is a keen birder with 800 species on his Southern African list.
Aldo is married to Sharron with a son Bruce and lives in Robindale, Randburg.
“The model of basing conservation on sustainable and wise use for the benefit for rural communities is a beautiful one,” he says, “and furthermore it is a concept which now finds much support among donors.”
Aldo will be taking up his position on Tuesday, 1st June 2004.
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