In Memoriam

Jane Tipson

Jane Tipson, a leading advocate for animals and wildlife in the Caribbean, was murdered in the early hours of the morning of 17 September. She was ambushed and shot returning home in St. Lucia, after a long day of work at a volunteer-assisted spay and neuter clinic. Jane, 53, was St. Lucia's conscience and voice for animals, and a passionate worker for whales and dolphins on an international scale. She had helped CSI's work in many ways, and had been our Non-Governmental Observer at a meeting of the IWC.

Born in Cornwall, UK, Jane moved to St. Lucia about 25 years ago, dedicated to alleviating the suffering of animals. She was a founder and President of the St. Lucia Animal Protection Society, http://www.stluciaanimals.org/, Founder of the St. Lucia Whale and Dolphin Watching Association, Co-Founder and Secretary of the Eastern Caribbean Coalition for Environmental Awareness, Director of the Association pour l'Amazonie et la Defense de la Nature, and was deeply involved in local and international actions against cetacean captivity.

In the words of Lesley Ann Sutty, Head of Operations ECCEA-EU Regional Programme, Martinique, "The premature and brutal death of such a well known, gifted and loved environmentalist, on a small tropical island, has circled the world and stunned those who worked with her on a myriad of issues. Jane's death has robbed the region of a voice that spoke out with determination, yet kindness and understanding, in defense of the just causes she devoted her entire energy and income to." The Prime Minister of St. Lucia has ordered an investigation.

Global Whale Supporter Eddie Brewer

Eddie Brewer was a Welshman, and a rare one at that! The world of whales and nature has recently lost one of its great, lifelong champions and exemplars.

He spent 34 years of consecrated service in the jungles of The Gambia, West Africa, previously a British possession, where he was Director of the Wildlife Conservation Department and in 1967 established the pioneering Gambia Nature Reserve in Abuko. He finally retired in 1995 to his home in Gwynedd, North Wales, with his partner Gilla Hanauer. He died on 19 April 2003.

Actively concerned about the whole realm of nature, Eddie's enthusiasm for whales and dolphins extended around the world. He participated as a member of the planning committee for the June 1983 "Whales Alive" Conference in Boston, contributing significantly to the success of this Cetacean Society International (CSI) cosponsored, first Global Conference on the Non-Consumptive Utilization of Cetacean Resources.

He remained a devoted member and supporter of CSI, displaying colorful whale exhibits at his African outpost to teach local children also to love cetaceans. He served as volunteer CSI representative in The Gambia, with a name plate on his office door.

At the time of his retirement in 1995, Eddie Brewer wrote to CSI: "It was a privilege to see your society at work those years ago in Boston, and it is with pride and immense satisfaction that I have watched both the growth of the society and the splendid results it has achieved since the Whales Alive Conference. I can honestly say that I admire you all immensely. You're doing wonderful work for the whales. Long may it continue."

His Excellency D.K. Jawara, President of Gambia,
meets Eddie Brewer with a gorilla in the
Abuko Nature Reserve. Photo from brochure
"The Gambia Abuko Nature Reserve"

Long may the spirit of Eddie Brewer continue to inspire us all.

- Robbins Barstow

Stephen G. Shepard

Stephen G. Shepard, a long-time member of CSI, died on Sunday, August 30, 2003.

Born on January 16, 1920, Stephen Goodrich Shepard was a resident of Seabury in Bloomfield. He participated in three island invasions (Guadalcanal, Palau and Okinawa) in the Pacific Theater of World War II with the First Division of the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was decorated in combat and rose through the ranks from private to captain. His World War II experience taught him the urgent need for non-violent conflict resolution and he was dedicated to the abolition of all weapons of mass destruction. He was employed for 35 years by Combustion Engineering's Corporate Personnel Department, where he was responsible for EEO and Affirmative Action. He, with his long-time loving companion, Jean O. Petty, were world travelers and members of the Social Responsibility Committee of the Unitarian Society of Hartford as activists for peace, justice and the environment. They were also engaged in civil disobedience in opposition to U.S. foreign policy. They were co-founders of the Bloomfield Citizens for Global Security. Jean preceded him in death in 2002.

A memorial service was conducted at the Unitarian Society of Hartford on Saturday, October 4, 2003.