Richard Leakey began making important discoveries of fossil human ancestors in East Africa during the 1960s, including the famous ‘Turkana Boy’. After serving as Director of the National Museum of Kenya, he revolutionised African conservation as Director of the Kenyan Wildlife Service until he resigned in 1994. He is currently the Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet of Kenya. He has written many articles and books on human origins, as well as the popular book, ‘The Sixth Extinction: biodiversity and its survival’.