Norman Owen-Smith received his PhD degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison for his study on the behavioural ecology of the white rhinoceros. His research has covered the ecology of large mammalian herbivores and their interactions with vegetation. His awards include Gold Medals from the Zoological Society of South Africa and the Southern African Association for the Advancement of Science, life membership in the Ecological Society of America, the Bill Venter/Altron Literary Award and the Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship, and he is a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa. He has written or edited five books.