A DIRECTOR of Conservation at Slimbridge Wetland Centre has been named one of the 50 most influential people in her field.

Slimbridge WWT’s director of conservation Dr Debbie Pain was placed on the ‘Wildlife Power List’ compiled by BBC Wildlife magazine.

She was included on the list because of her pioneering work to research and reduce lead poisoning of wild birds from ammunition sources.

Debbie has good company on the list, appearing alongside the likes of WWT vice-presidents Sir David Attenborough and Chris Packham.

Debbie said: “I’m honoured and flattered to be included in such company. But WWT’s progress in protecting wetlands and their wildlife is due to the dedication of staff and volunteers across the trust. I’m only one person in that team.”

Based in Slimbridge, Dr Pain is a key part of WWT’s work to save wildlife and wetlands.

She has overseen work to save critically endangered species like the spoon-billed sandpiper and the Madagascar pochard from extinction.

She directs research programmes as well as projects delivering conservation action on the ground in the UK and overseas.

Examples include rearing cranes for reintroduction to South West England, the discovery of new populations of tadpole shrimp in Scotland, and restoring wetlands to benefit both threatened wildlife and local people in Madagascar.

Before joining WWT, Debbie spent 16 years with RSPB where she worked with BirdLife partner organisations around the world on research projects ranging from the impacts of different agricultural systems and climate change, to the causes of decline of globally threatened species like the Asian vultures, poisoned by veterinary use of the drug diclofenac.