ENGLAND, London—Applications are now open for the 2025 Tusk Conservation Awards, which will be held in partnership with Ninety One.
This year marks 13 years since the awards’ inception. They seek to honour visionary conservationists who are protecting Africa’s endangered biodiversity.
According to the award organisers, three winners will be chosen from what are expected to be hundreds of applications from across the continent and feted at a prestigious ceremony later in the year. His Royal Highness Prince William will present the prestigious awards the organisers disclosed.
Successful nominees will be those who demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities and collaboration, especially with local communities, who develop innovative approaches to conservation challenges that others can replicate and scale, and who create change that can outlast them, among other criteria.
Who are the previous winners of the Tusk Conservation Awards
Y News has established that since the award’s inception in 2013, the 57 winners and finalists have included a Madagascan helping communities conserve 3,500 sq km of their forests and wetlands and an anthropologist leading rangers protecting mountain gorillas in war-torn eastern Congo.
Other past winners are a Zimbabwean intelligence officer who has jailed more poachers than anyone else in his country, and a herpetologist working with coastal communities to keep turtles safe in the seas off Sierra Leone.
Why the Tusk Conservation Awards are held annually
The awards’ role in highlighting the often unnoticed efforts of Africa’s conservation visionaries is more important than ever.
Africa’s wildlife populations dropped by over three-quarters since 1970. An area of forest the size of Kentucky or Switzerland is felled each year.
Rangelands that cover 43% of the continent, supporting 268 million livestock keepers in 36 countries, are degrading fast.
What’s the message of the Award organisers ahead of the Awards
Tusk says it’s committed to funding, supporting, and amplifying the work of Africa’s conservationists, whose innovative projects create meaningful change for both wildlife and
people across the continent.
Nick Bubb, CEO of Tusk, said there is an urgent need to protect nature in Africa.
“Tusk believes it is the progressive work of conservationists on the ground that creates lasting change for both wildlife and people,” Bubb said.
The CEO also observed that by finding, funding, and telling the stories of such individuals, Tusk is championing those who create inspiring solutions to conservation challenges.
“We are backing those who understand, respect, and protect the natural world,” Bubb explained.
Prince William has awarded Claver Ntoyinkima, Senior Ranger Guide and Trainer at Nyungwe National Park, the prestigious Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award for his exceptional dedication to primate and bird conservation in Rwanda. The ceremony honoring leading African conservationists…
Y News understands that Tusk’s mission is to accelerate the impact of African-driven conservation. Tusk has supported forward-thinking and successful African conservation interventions for over thirty years.
On the other hand, Ninety One is an active global investment manager managing £127.4 billion in assets. Its goal is to provide long-term investment returns for our clients while making a positive difference to people and the planet.
Before the event, the organisers pointed out that award nominees cannot apply themselves. They must be nominated by someone else, who could be a friend, colleague, lecturer, teacher, mentor or mentee, supervisor, partner, or anyone who knows them well enough to complete the comprehensive nomination form.
Nominations will fall into one of three categories.
Nominees may only be entered into one category:
● Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa—This lifetime achievement award recognises outstanding dedication and exceptional continued
contribution to conservation in Africa.
● The Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa—This award is given to an individual judged to be an inspiring mid-career conservationist in recognition of their outstanding contribution and leadership qualities.
● Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award—This award recognises the dedication and commitment of an individual who works in the field to protect Africa’s wildlife and wild places.
Rachel Ikemeh, founder and director of the SW/Niger Delta Forest Project and 2021 finalist of the Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa, said she was forever grateful for having been made a Tusk finalist.
“As a project leader of the SW/Niger Delta Forest Project, it has been so encouraging and motivating to have the rigours and challenges of my work fully recognised,” Rachel explained.
Congratulations to the winners of this year’s @tusk_org Awards! Great to join @idriselba to celebrate their dedication to conservation and protecting Africa’s precious wildlife is truly inspiring.
Rachel disclosed that the exposure from being a Tusk finalist brought her project to light and was a massive help in persuading people of the importance of managing protected areas.
Meanwhile, nominations are open until April 25, 2025, and must be submitted online at https://www.tuskawards.com/nominations/.
They are made possible thanks to the continued generosity and support from the Nick Maughan Family Foundation, DHL, Defender, ISPS Handa, Fortemus Films & Gallantium, Shelton Fleming, Justerini and Brooks, Patrick Mavros, and the Savoy Hotel.
