Founders of the awards Dr Larry Hansen and Miss Xiaoyang Yu expressed their appreciation for every action taken against all forms of poaching, at all levels. “Congratulations to all of the participants and winners of the awards. It is a privilege to celebrate your work and your efforts to protect Africa’s rhino,” said Dr Hansen. “Know that we will continue to stand at your side, as every effort is recognised and appreciated.”
In the Field Ranger category, Tyson Maluleke and his K9 Kilalo, and Julius Sibuyi were announced as the winners, whilst Wilson Siwela was rewarded as the runner-up. The winner of the Conservation Practitioner Award was the entire Kruger National Park’s Marula South ranger team. The runners-up were the Namibian Conservancy Rhino Ranger Incentive Programme, and SANParks’ regional ranger Don English and section ranger Craig Williams.
Adam Pires and the EWT Wildlife in Trade Programme scooped the award for the Best Rhino Conservation Supporter. Richard Mabanga, cultural ambassador for the Rhino Art – Let the Voices be Heard campaign, and husband and wife team, Steve and Perry Dell from the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust and the Rhino Poaching Unit were selected as runners-up.
The winner in the Best Political, Investigative and Judicial Support category was Jabu Qayiso who has more than 20 years’ experience in environmental crime investigation. Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi was announced as the first runner-up, and Frik Rossouw was the second runner-up.
For the first time, the awards offered a Special Award for Endangered Species Conservation. African Parks took first prize, Chris Kelly came second and Miguel Xavier from Angola placed third. African Parks takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks across Africa, in partnership with governments and local communities. It is responsible for one of the largest and most significant elephant translocations in history and has restored species across Africa, including rhino to Rwanda and cheetah to Malawi.
For more info, go to www.rhinoconservationawards.org.
