Wildlife SOS presenter Simon Cowell has died (Picture: Andy Newbold/Solent News/REX/Shutterstock)
Conservationist and Wildlife SOS star Simon Cowell has died aged 72, it has been confirmed.
A statement issued on behalf of Wildlife Aid Foundation read: ‘It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Simon Cowell MBE, conservationist, founder and CEO of the Wildlife Aid Foundation and presenter of Wildlife SOS.
‘Simon passed away peacefully on Sunday (June 9) after a brave battle with cancer, surrounded by his daughters, his partner and his dogs.’
The lengthy tribute continued: ‘Simon was one of the UK’s most respected conservationists and a passionate advocate for wildlife protection and environmental causes.
‘He dedicated his life to British wildlife and worked tirelessly to ensure countless injured and orphaned animals were given a second chance in the wild through rescue, clinical treatment, and rehabilitation.
‘He campaigned relentlessly to raise awareness of the plight of wildlife and the importance of all species.’
Cowell had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer (Picture: Simon Jones/REX/Shutterstock)
He began rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife in his home and garden in the early 1980s (Picture: Simon Jones/REX/Shutterstock)
Recalling the early days of his career and passion for conservationism, they shared: ‘Simon began rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife in his home and garden in the early 1980s as a distraction from his job as a broker in London.
‘When his career was cut short by stress-induced mental health problems the hobby became a full-time job and he established Wildlife Aid as a charity in 1987, which is now the Wildlife Aid Foundation (WAF). It grew to become one of Britain’s busiest and most influential wildlife organisations.’
In 1997 Cowell created, produced, and presented the television series Wildlife SOS for Channel Five and The Discovery Channel’s Animal Planet.
During this, he ‘reported on the plight of animals internationally, including mountain gorillas in The Democratic Republic of Congo, wolves in northern Russia, and moon bears in Vietnam.’
As his writing, Cowell penned Wildlife SOS, The Owl with the Golden Heart, and his autobiography, My Wild Life.
In 2005 he was awarded the MBE for services to wildlife and has remained a frequent media commentator on environmental matters, sharing his expertise and promoting conservationism.
‘When he began rescuing wildlife, Simon soon recognised that most of the perils wildlife face are a direct consequence of human actions,’ the tribute added.
Cowell has been sharing his expertise and passion for conservationism for decades (Picture: Solent News/REX/Shutterstock)
He raised thousands for Wildlife Aid (Picture: PA)
‘This led him to develop iDot, an initiative which encourages people to commit to undertaking positive environmental actions. The idea that everyone should do one action a day for nature underpinned his dying wish, to create a new home for the charity he built. This project, the Wildlife Aid Centre, is currently being developed and fundraising for it continues.’
Now, the Wildlife Aid Foundation ‘continues his work and legacy from its base in Surrey under the leadership of Simon’s daughter and WAF CEO, Lou Cowell.’
Their announcement concluded: ‘Simon believed that every animal matters. He was committed to redressing the damage man has done to the environment.
‘He was passionate about the importance of environmental education and hopeful for a future in which man respects and protects the natural world.’
Cowell is survived by two daughters, Lou and Gemma, and his partner, Stani.
‘His loss will be greatly felt by his loved ones and the environmental community.’
In July 2022, it was announced through his foundation that Cowell had been diagnosed with an aggressive, terminal form of lung cancer.
A donation campaign for his organisation entitled Simon’s Last Wish was then launched on 15 July.
On May 11, 2024, it was announced that Cowell’s cancer had progressed to his vital organs and although he was still undergoing treatment, doctors had given a prognosis of a few weeks.
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