The industry mourns the loss of conservationist, Dr Ian Player, who passed away on Sunday morning at his home in Howick, KwaZulu Natal after suffering a stroke last week. 
A statement from President Jacob Zuma read: “Dr Player played a significant role in the preservation of nature. His name is synonymous with conservation and the preservation of the environment for future generations. He did exceptionally well in this field, consistently, for decades, and managed to put South Africa on the map. His passing is a great loss for the nation and for the nature conservation community worldwide. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, colleagues and friends in this country and all over the world.
In a joint statement by the Department of Environmental Affairs and South African National Parks, Edna Molewa, Minister of Environmental Affairs, said: “The loss of Dr Ian Player is felt by all in the conservation community.  His contribution to the preservation of our natural world and his leadership in saving the rhino from extinction in South Africa are achievements that cannot be beaten.
“The Minister, Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs, Barbara Thomson, the Chairman of the SANParks Board, Kuseni Dlamini, and newly appointed SANParks CEO, Fundisile Mketeni, are saddened by the loss of Dr Ian Player,” the statement continued.
“Dr Player played a pivotal role in saving the world’s remaining population of Southern White Rhino, leading South Africa’s first Operation Rhino in the then iMfolozi Game reserve in the 1960s,” the statement said. “It was because of the vision and dedication of Dr Player and his team that the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve became the source population of Southern White Rhino.
“His guidance and leadership will be missed by all in government, the Department of Environmental Affairs, and in conservation circles who had the honour to work with him,” the Minister added. 
Mketeni said: “In his last days I was so humbled to receive a passionate email from Dr Player congratulating me on my appointment as CEO of SANParks.  I had responded that I was humbled because he was my role model.”
“Dr Player was one of the giants of the conservation industry in Southern Africa,” said Dlamini. “We owe it to him to ensure that we do not allow the current onslaught on our rhino to succeed. Whilst we mourn his passing, we also celebrate his enormous contribution throughout his illustrious life.” 

Johnny Rodrigues, Chairman for Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, said: “Dr Player was a true gentleman and one of the best conservationists in Africa. This is a great loss for African wildlife and we will try to keep his legacy alive.”
The Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa (PHASA) has paid tribute to Player.
A statement from PHASA read: “A survey of the White rhino population in the Umfolozi Game Reserve at the time, then the last stronghold of the white rhino, established that there were fewer than 400 left. 
“He quickly moved to first relocate some of these rhinos to the rest of South Africa’s state parks and then to promote their inclusion on the hunting list to encourage landowners to keep them on their property, signalling the start of the country’s multibillion-rand wildlife industry.  

Adri Kitshoff, PHASA Chief Executive said: “Dr Ian Player is without a doubt the grandfather of conservation in South Africa today. It is because of his work with the White rhino that this iconic species has become the symbol of South Africa’s conservation success.” 
A statement from the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) South Africa said: “He will be remembered for his dedication to protecting and nurturing a love for South Africa’s rich natural resources, people and biodiversity. With his mentor, the late Magqubu Ntombela, and the likes of Jim Feely, Player conceived a vision of exposing a diverse group of South Africans to the wilderness experience. 
“This ideal ultimately led to the formation of the Wilderness Foundation which has exposed hundreds of South Africans from all backgrounds to, what he called, ‘the higher ideal of conservation’. He believed that people needed to be wholly integrated into and involved in conservation efforts, an ideal that resonates with our commitment to building a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.”