Nature by wheelchair, with Stuart Butchart

Ever since he was shot in the back by bandits in a Guatemalan forest, Stuart Butchart has been exploring the natural world in a wheelchair, which is every bit as hard as it sounds. But Stuart’s positive approach is inspiring.

Today, Stuart is chief scientist at BirdLife International, the world's largest partnership of nature conservation organisations, where he heads up a team that, among other things, identifies bird species around the world most in danger of extinction.

We chat with Stuart about his love of nature, the accident that changed his life, and the obstacles that limit access to natural spaces for wheelchair users – and how to improve that situation.

You can find out more about the work Stuart and his team do by visiting: ⁠https://www.birdlife.org/⁠

Photo: Annelisa Grigg

And to get more great content from BBC Wildlife, visit our website: ⁠https://www.discoverwildlife.com/⁠

BBC Wildlife is the world’s longest-running and most popular nature magazine. This episode was hosted by Paul McGuinness and produced by Lewis Dobbs.

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