[Sir Peter Scott interview]. 1981-10-21.

Sir Peter Scott, the chairman of the World Wildlife Fund has arrived in Christchurch for meeting with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and natural resources.

Scott talks about his father, Robert Falcon Scott, of who he has no firm memories, but knows his legacy and was determined to make his own path in life. He talks about his inspiration behind becoming interested in conservation and his interest in gliding. His interests in conservation was nurtured by spending time with naturalists, like Sir Ray Lancaster, who took time to interest him in natural sciences, spending time at St James Park and reading about butterflies and moths at school. He talks about the animals he kept as pets and his interest in geese, waterfowl and tropical fish. He talks about the struggles in conserving underwater life, especially freshwater fish that are threatened by pollution and what the IUCN is doing to help. He describes the IUCN’s global role in conservation, how it is funded, its relationship with World Wildlife and the need to educate others to take better care of the environment in the future. Scott then discusses efforts to mitigate the extinction of whales, the importance of educating those who hunt them and recalls swimming with humpback whales in Hawai’i. Finally, he talks about being awarded the John C. Philips medal, which he will be awarded at the IUCN meeting.