David Burnie is a zoology graduate and fellow of the Zoological Society of London. Having started out as a nature-preserve ranger and biologist, he has since forged a successful career as a writer and consultant specializing in wildlife and plants. He has written and contributed to more than 140 books and multimedia titles on nature and the environment, including DK's Animal and Natural History encyclopedias. He was shortlisted for the Royal Society's Aventis Prize in 2005.
