THREE African conservationists who are driving meaningful change that benefits both wildlife and people on the continent have been honoured at the 12th annual Tusk Conservation Awards in London.
These ‘unsung conservation leaders’ are said by the Tusk Trust to be involved in ‘progressive conservation projects’.
The three are Nomba Ganamé from the Mali Elephant Project who received the Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa; Edward Aruna from the Reptile and Amphibian Programme in Sierra Leone who took the Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa; and Claver Ntoyinkima from Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda who bagged the Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award.
Prince William, the Prince of Wales, who announced the winners at the ceremony last week, said: ‘Now is the time to support those globally who work to prevent future generations from becoming disconnected from nature.
‘We live in a world in which incredible wildlife exists, and I want that for the generations that follow,’ the heir to the British throne added.
‘I want my children to live in a world where swallows still migrate, gorillas still live in the cloud forests of Uganda and rhinos still roam the arid rangelands of Namibia.
‘It will be thanks to extraordinary leaders – such as those that we are celebrating today – that this will happen.
‘They remind us of the importance of living at peace with nature; they should guide and inspire us all to drive change.’
Apart from receiving a trophy each, the winners were awarded significant grant funding to continue their vital work.
Ganamé was recognised for his ‘unwavering commitment and effective conservation strategies’ that had ‘ensured the survival of Mali’s unique elephants’.
Their numbers have now been stabilised, with a population of more than 300.
Ganamé said: ‘My advice to the next generation is to have total commitment to community conservation; to listen to the local population and to demonstrate impartiality in their dealings.
‘I would also say that you should never put the money first, because conservation takes a lot of time and energy and if you put the money first, it’s difficult to succeed.’
Aruna, who founded his project in Sierra Lone in 2012, had a similar message on the future of conservation in Africa, adding: ‘…the environment in which we dwell today doesn’t need us; we need it, so let [future generations] protect it for themselves and future generations, too.’
He added: ‘I would also plead with them to forgive us for the environmental hazards they will be facing and that although not of their doing, they should do better than us and take positive actions towards restoration of the environment.’
Ntoyinkima, recognised as ‘an inspiring ranger leader and role model for his dedicated work’ in Rwanda said he was proud of receiving his award as ‘acknowledgement of my dedication and efforts of giving back to the community.’
He added: ‘I am very grateful for this historical support and recognition of the conservation efforts made by field-based actors like me.’
Nick Bubb, CEO of Tusk Trust, noted at the awards ceremony: ‘Africa is still rich in animal, plant and marine biodiversity.
‘Tusk’s vision is a future where the continent’s wildlife and human communities not only coexist peacefully, but positively thrive.’
He said that those who won the awards were ‘courageous and committed individuals on the ground who safeguard Africa’s natural heritage night and day, and who demonstrate to us all the power of understanding, respecting and protecting the natural world’.
Founded in 1994, Tusk Trust has supported forward-thinking and successful conservation intervention in Africa.
From the plains of the Serengeti to the rainforests of the Congo Basin, it is working towards a future in which people and wildlife can both thrive across the African continent.
