Simon Thomsett: A Legacy of Falconry and Conservation
Munir Virani
It was quite a cool and crisp evening outside the Beach Rotana as I watched Simon Thomsett climb into our office vehicle that would whisk him away to his next great adventure in the Philippines. The flurry of the past two days settled into a stunned and poignant silence around me. The sun had long set over Abu Dhabi, and the emergence of a waxing moon cast a soft golden light that seemed to underscore the significance of this farewell. At the nearby mosque across my building, the muezzin started the call to prayer – a call almost symbolic of a blessing for Simon’s mission ahead. This wasn’t just any departure; it was the moment when a global conservation leader, and my personal mentor, set off to put a huge and positive dent in the universe for the sake of an eagle.
From the moment Simon landed in Dubai the day before, his fatigue was evident, but it did little to dampen his unshakeable spirit. As I opened the door to let him in, anticipation had filled my apartment with an almost tangible excitement. Despite his weariness, Simon arrived carrying his usual modest luggage—a tattered old suitcase (remember Lord Melbury from Fawlty Towers?) and a backpack—emblems of his simple lifestyle amidst his worldwide acclaim. Our reunion was marked by a rare, heartfelt hug—a simple gesture that belied the profound respect and affection I hold for him. Simon’s reaction as we entered my apartment, “Gosh, this is another world altogether,” perfectly encapsulated his humility and his (sometimes “tongue-in-cheek”) ability to find wonder in every new environment, contrasting sharply with the raw, untamed beauty of his Hobbit House at the Soysambu Conservancy in Kenya where he resides with lions, leopards ad buffaloes as his immediate neighbours. I hesitate to add that an Egyptian Cobra resides in his pizza oven.
Simon Thomsett is far more than a mere expert in raptor conservation; he is a trailblazer in the realm of falconry and the rehabilitation of large forest eagles, along with other raptors. His revolutionary work, poised to be shared in detail with our team, revolves around imparting vital knowledge and techniques essential for global raptor conservation initiatives. After a hearty breakfast of greasy eggs on toast with chai, we delved into fine-tuning his presentation, ensuring it highlighted his profound expertise and substantial impact on the field. As I introduced Simon to my colleagues at the Mohamed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund just before our meeting, my pride was palpable, bolstered by the respect and admiration we all hold for him. During his presentation, Simon truly came alive, his voice resonating with a deep-seated passion and wisdom. He spoke with a calm, authoritative presence that captivated everyone in the room, drawing eyes and ears to his every word. The air was charged with a sense of awe and admiration, as Simon elucidated the intricacies of his life’s work with clarity and a blazing passion. Each sentence he spoke conveyed information that also inspired and galvanized us, reaffirming his status not just as a leader in conservation but as a visionary that continues to shape the future of global raptor conservation.
Despite the visible signs of weariness etching his face, the intimate dinner I hosted in Simon Thomsett’s honor that evening summed up the profound impact he has had on the global raptor conservation community. That evening, eight guests converged at my table, representing six different nations, each drawn not merely by the allure of my signature spicy chicken curry but more so by Simon’s charismatic presence. The room buzzed with anticipation, as friends and colleagues gathered to share a moment with a man whose life’s work had touched so many corners of the world. As the evening unfolded, Simon’s stories, rich with decades of frontline raptor conservation efforts, held everyone spellbound. His narrative was a recount of his experiences through a colourful canvas of the challenges and triumphs faced in the quest to conserve our planet’s raptor populations. His voice, though tinged with fatigue, throbbed with a passion and conviction that resonated deeply, stirring the spirits of all who listened. His blue eyes sparkled like sapphires whilst his tales did more than entertain; they ignited a fire within each guest, compelling them to consider their own role in this vital cause.
As the door shut, and the taxi disappeared around a corner, I walked back slowly to my building, deeply struck by Simon’s monumental influence in raptor conservation as well as in nurturing a generation of conservationists. Selfless to the core, his philosophy was never just about filling shoes; it was about expanding them, empowering others to step forward and propel our mission. As he headed to the Philippines to work with the Philippine Eagle Foundation on a critical translocation project for the critically endangered Philippine eagle, his legacy seemed more tangible than ever. Watching Simon set off for the land of 7,000 islands and the home of the majestic Philippine eagle, I felt a mix of nostalgia and pride. Here was a man whose life’s work transcends borders and species, a true guardian of nature’s most magnificent flyers. His journey continues to inspire and push the boundaries of conservation, ensuring his impact will ripple through the ages. As the last echoes of laughter and discussion faded in my head just as it touched my pillow, the enduring image of Simon, surrounded by a mosaic of individuals united by a common purpose, reinforced the power and humility of his work. His stories, shared over simple plates of chicken curry, had not only captivated but had also connected disparate lives, weaving them into the ongoing narrative of global conservation.
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