Four African conservation heroes recognised at UK charity awards

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CAPE TOWN - Four African conservation heroes have won awards for their efforts to protect wildlife and natural environments at the UK charity Whitley Fund for Nature’s (WFN) awards.

The Whitley Awards support grass-root conservationists from the global south who are leading impactful projects in their home countries, according to a statement issued by the charity on Thursday.

After an international search, in 2021 they recognised work to safeguard sea turtles (Kenya), southern ground hornbills (South Africa), hooded grebes (Argentina), Lahille’s bottlenose dolphins (Brazil), bats (Nigeria), Amur falcons (India) and elephants (Kenya).

This year’s top gold award of £100,000 (about US$140,000) in project funding was awarded to Kenyan conservationist Paula Kahumbu for her outstanding leadership of Africa’s conservation movement and support of her outstanding work to secure justice for wildlife and citizens in the fight against ivory trafficking and habitat destruction.