Ariadne Angulo
Our hearts are broken. We have had the unexpected news for a few days now: Phil Bishop, our ASG Co-chair, our larger-than-life amphibian conservation elder, was diagnosed with an inoperable aggressive brain cancer which has led to his rapid decline. As I write these lines, Phil lies in a hospital bed in Dunedin, New Zealand, surrounded by his incredible, loving wife, Debbie, and their two boys. There are many more of us who would do anything to be able to be with him again, but we know that we can’t, and never will be able to do so again.
Phil was due to be the Head of Department at the University of Otago starting January 2021, and because of this he has had to step back from amphibian conservation causes that he cared deeply about. This included stepping back from his roles with the Amphibian Specialist Group and the Amphibian Survival Alliance. Phil had been deeply involved with both groups for many years, and has been a foundation of their existence. These are tight-knit groups that are like family. This was already a difficult process, and we had started to prepare for this transition. However, we were completely unprepared for what came next.
Whether we are aware of it or not, when we are born our mortality is born with us. It is our own faithful companion, walking our days and nights with us. At times it may have touched us gently, a reminder that it is right there with us, or perhaps it may have already pulled us by the scruff of the neck in the crater of our lives, with all that this entails. One day it will put its loving and faithful hand firmly on your shoulder – yes, your shoulder – and whisper that it is time to go. Until then, I ask you to live deeply, with your feet firmly planted in your transient life. See your death ahead of you, and live like you know that you will die.
The extraordinary late Uruguayan writer, historian, elder and wise man Eduardo Galeano wrote that in the Ecuadorian rainforest the Shuar Indians were weeping for a dying grandmother. They were weeping at the shores of her agony. A witness, coming from other worlds, asked why they were crying in front of her, if she was still alive. The weepers said: so that she knows that we love her very much.
Phil Bishop, amphibian conservation giant, friend and ASG family member, please know that we love you so very much. May our heartache and tears help pave your way to your ancestors and family members who preceded you, to those who helped forge you and helped make you the incredible human being that we know and love.
Thank you for writing this. I an so sad to learn of Phil’s cancer. This is a very thoughtful tribute.
Dear Phil,
It’s hard to follow the beautiful tribute written above. But I want to thank you for your inspirational leadership of amphibian conservation for many decades, and from local to global scales. Your engaging and original style, together with rigorous science, have been critical components in getting frogs on the conservation agenda. It’s been a privilege to work with you these last almost 20 years. I think we first e-met when you were so helpful and positive during the first Global Amphibian Assessment (2001-2004). But subsequently we found ourselves on the same photograph at the World Congress of Herpetology in 1989. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to – and leadership of – the amphibian conservation cause ever since. You have played critical roles in the development of our movement, including with the ASG, ASA, WCH and much more.
It’s very hard to think of you on your hospital bed right now – it seems so unfair. With my prayers, hope and fond wishes to you, Debbie and your sons,
Simon
As I knew him, he was a fantastic lecture, a person who was clearly incredibly passionate about the field of Zoology and all it installed. And I am glad to know that he knew me, and I knew him, however briefly.
You will go down as one of the Zoology greats, my friend.
R.I.P Professor Phil Bishop.
Beautiful ❤️ ?
[…] few days ago we wrote a little note about Phil and published it here. We did so then because it was important for us that Phil knew how much he was […]
You will be greatly missed. I was lucky to meet you in zoology and meet some of your frogs when I was in Dunedin on a Fulbright in 2010 and see you every time I returned to NZ. You have done so much for the natural world.
What very, very sad news and my sincere condolences to Phil’s family, friends and all ASG members. As stated in the very nice eulogy above, Phil’s feet were firmly on the ground tackling what is arguably the frontline vertebrate extinction problem in the world. A real loss to real conservation and to herpetology in general.
It’s so sad to hear that Phil Bishop passed away just few days into 2021. What a great lost for the IUCN SSC and the entire amphibian conservation community. Through this short note, I hereby join the entire amphibian community to express my sympathy and condolence to his family relatives. We will all miss him for ever!.
Rest in perfect peace Phill!