Environment & Natural Resources News South Africa

2019 Rhino Conservation Awards winners announced

The 2019 Rhino Conservation Awards Gala took place in Johannesburg this month recognising the conservation efforts undertaken by individuals and organisations. The awards was founded by Dr Larry Hansen and Xiaoyang Yu in 2011 and has been hosted annually in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Affairs and the Game Rangers' Association of Africa (GRAA).
2019 Rhino Conservation Awards winners announced

The award finalists were joined at the event by high-level dignitaries such as the Awards patron His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, South African government officials, foreign diplomats, media, sponsors, and other significant NGOs supporting rhino conservation.

The winners, selected by evaluation of the work done over the last 12 months, starting in July 2018, were announced as follows:

Field Ranger Award: First place was a tie between Lance Corporal Samuel Ndlovu from the Kruger National Park and Senior Sergeant Nderu Loormuyeni from Chyulu Hills in Kenya. Second place went to Francis Mpigwa from Uganda.

Conservation Practitioner Award: First place went to Markus Hofmeyer for his work on the Rhino Without Borders initiative in Botswana, second place went to the Southern African Wildlife College K9 Unit and third place was awarded to Endri Steyn from the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve.

Rhino Conservation Supporter Award: First place was awarded to Rhino 911 for their work supporting rhino conservation in the North West Province, second place to Nicholas Duncan from Save the African Rhino Foundation and third place went to SANParks Project Embrace.

Political/ Judicial/ Investigative Support Award: First place was awarded to SANParks Environmental Crime Investigators (ECI) for fighting against organised wildlife crime in South Africa, second place to the investigative rhino poaching documentary, Stroop, and third place went to Oscar Mabuyane, premier of the Eastern Cape.

Endangered Species Award: First place was awarded to Amos Gwema for his work combating wildlife crime in Zimbabwe, second place went to the Rare and Endangered Species Trust (REST) in Namibia and third place to Craig Reid from Liwonde National Park in Malawi.

2019 Rhino Conservation Awards winners announced

“We are grateful for the opportunity to recognise just some of the men and women across Africa who are making a positive difference in the conservation of endangered species,” concludes Campbell. “With such dedicated people involved in conservation we look forward to more progress in the year ahead.”

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