DR.Niall McCann
Frontline Explorer: Protecting our Planet
National Geographic Explorer, biologist, broadcaster, adventurer, and mountain rescuer, who is fighting to protect endangered species across the world.
ABOUT
Described by Sir David Attenborough as “a world authority from the frontline”, Dr Niall McCann is a National Geographic Explorer focusing on anti-poaching and the illegal wildlife trade, with ongoing projects in Africa and Latin America.
Niall is a seasoned adventurer who has rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, skied across Greenland, cycled over the Himalayas, and been on multiple rock climbing and mountaineering trips around the world. He is also an award-winning wildlife TV presenter with shows on the BBC, PBS, Animal Planet Canada, Nat Geo Wild, the Discovery Channel and Ecoflix, most recently with a strong focus on climate change and human-wildlife conflict.
Niall has a PhD in Conservation Biology and has led biological research expeditions in jungle environments for the past 20 years. Niall is the Executive Director for National Park Rescue, a direct-action conservation organisation protecting some of the most threatened national parks in Africa, and is co-Chair of the global EndPandemics Alliance.
In addition to his day-to-day work in conservation, Niall lobbies the UK government to put conservation and the environment at the heart of their International Development Aid strategy, and is involved in multiple projects at the nexus between innovative finance and conservation.
Niall had a fulsome adventure career, apparently cut short when he broke his back in a speedflying accident in 2016. After learning how to walk again, he joined the Mountain Rescue team that rescued him, and continues to pursue adventure and exploration around the world, despite the ongoing effects of a spinal cord injury.
Outside of work, Niall sits on the Expert Advisory Panel for The Earthshot Prize, he has been a Trustee of the Royal Geographical Society, Ecoflix and the Wallacea Trust, an Ambassador for the British Inspiration Trust, Millimetres2Mountains and Smash Life, an active member of the Brecon Mountain Rescue team, and is an avid outdoor enthusiast.
MEDIA
AVAILABLE TALKS
Protecting the Planet
In Protecting the Planet Niall takes us on a journey into the jungles, deserts, rivers, and savannahs on five continents, a career that has led Niall to be described by Sir David Attenborough as “a world authority from the frontline”. From researching some of the most endangered species on earth, to running anti-poaching operations in Africa, via capturing man-eating crocodiles, dodging drug gangs, and pressuring politicians at home and abroad, Niall’s talk is packed with adventure and insights from over 20 years of living and working on the conservation frontline. Beautifully illustrated with images from his work, Protecting the Planet is a story of leadership, a celebration of the natural world, a homage to the power of storytelling, and a rallying cry for people to fight for our shared natural heritage.
Bloody but Unbowed
In Bloody but Unbowed Niall takes us on a journey to the most inhospitable parts of the earth, leading expeditions across oceans and icecaps, and into jungles and mountain ranges all around the world. After breaking his back in a speedflying accident, Niall learned how to walk again, joined the Mountain Rescue team that rescued him, led an all-disabled team across Iceland’s vast Vatnajokull Icecap, and continues to push mental and physical boundaries in pursuit of adventure and inspiration. Beautifully illustrated with images from his expeditions, Bloody but Unbowed is a story of leadership, determination, and endurance, of a life spent pushing the limits, and of overcoming a life-changing injury to return to the mountains as both an adventurer and a Mountain Rescuer.
TESTIMONIALS
“Oh my goodness Scott – he is amazing! People have commented he is the best speaker we have had!!”
— STEM – Bakersfield College – March 2013
“He was awesome! …What a great, energetic speaker! Everyone I talked to who went to the event were so impressed by him – thanks for the recommendation.”
— Jen Johnson, Program Coordinator – College of Engineering, Forestry & Natural Sciences, Northern Arizona University
“Niall McCann provided an incredible presentation of the wild and its many mysteries. He was not only very personable and gracious with our event staff, he was a total hit with the audience!”
— Dr. Anthony Paustian, Provost – Des Moines Area Community College
