The 2024 African Conservation Awards, hosted by the Recreation Rangers’ Affiliation of Africa (GRAA) (www.GameRanger.org) is a chance to rejoice simply a number of the excellent work by African conservationists. It’s the GRAA’s privilege to have the ability to showcase the distinctive contributions to defending Africa’s pure heritage. In 2024, the GRAA modified classes on this prestigious occasion to make sure Marine Rangers are additionally recognised and celebrated.
These awards proceed to remind us of our accountability to rangers working throughout Africa, a lot of whom are working in difficult environments with an absence of sources. Each organisation and particular person nominated for these awards has displayed outstanding resilience and dedication, regardless of their overwhelming odds and have remained steadfast of their dedication to attaining their conservation objectives, inspiring us all with their unwavering dedication. Rangers ought to be acknowledged and celebrated.
The Winners for the 2024 African Conservation Awards are:
Greatest Discipline Ranger
Winner: Modiki Claver, Ranger Group Chief, Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic (CAR)
Modiki Claver, the Group Chief of Dzanga Sangha Protected Space’s regulation enforcement part in CAR, has risen from beginning as a porter in 2010 to changing into the highest crew chief within the panorama. Main a crew of seven rangers throughout the Congo Basin, together with elements of Noubale-Ndoki Nationwide Park and Lobeke Nationwide Park, Claver exemplifies management by dismantling snares, seizing weapons, and making arrests. He has considerably contributed to scientific analysis, together with monitoring elephant populations, assessing the influence of logging, and monitoring unlawful searching actions. Past his regulation enforcement duties, Claver has fostered robust relationships with native communities and youth, guiding them towards conservation careers. In the course of the 2013 military-political unrest, he demonstrated distinctive braveness by covertly monitoring insurgent actions and offering crucial data to guard wildlife. Identified for his area expertise, moral management, and dedication to the rights of indigenous individuals, Claver is an inspiring position mannequin in conservation.
1st Runner Up: Sekibibi Bareke Désiré, Central Sector Supervisor, Virunga Nationwide Park, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
2nd Runner Up: Jean Claude Kyungu, Former Head Ranger Maiko Nationwide Park, DRC
Greatest Marine Ranger
Winner: Chanel Hauvette, Senior Marine Discipline Ranger, Robberg Nature Reserve and Marine Protected Space and Keurbooms River Nature Reserve, South Africa
Chanel Hauvette is a Senior Marine Discipline Ranger who demonstrates extraordinary dedication to marine conservation, main stranding responses, regulation enforcement, biodiversity monitoring, and group engagement throughout Robberg Nature Reserve and Marine Protected Space. As coordinator of the Plett Stranding Community, she manages lots of of annual strandings, from seals and birds to endangered turtles, usually stabilizing animals at her own residence. Regardless of challenges like restricted sources and transportation, Chanel forges robust partnerships with native companies, NGOs, and residents to safe assist. Her management, revolutionary protocols, and fervour for conservation encourage her crew, educate communities, and make sure the safety of marine biodiversity.
1st Runner Up: Emily Nyevu Simba, Ranger Corporal, Watamu Marine Protected Space, Kenya
2nd Runner Up: Clive Hendricks, Part Ranger, Addo Elephant Nationwide Park – Marine Part, South Africa
Greatest Ranger Group
Winner: South Luangwa Fast Response Unit for Human-Wildlife Battle, South Luangwa Nationwide Park, Zambia
The South Luangwa Fast Response Unit for Human-Wildlife Battle (RRU-HWC) is a joint initiative between Conservation South Luangwa and the Division of Nationwide Parks and Wildlife. It has considerably improved coexistence between communities and wildlife via proactive schooling, revolutionary options, and swift battle decision. Reaching over 4,000 individuals, their instructional outreach fostered consciousness and led to a 44% enchancment in predator-proof livestock enclosures, lowering livestock predation. The crew additionally tackled challenges like elephant crop raids and predator assaults with speedy responses and non-lethal deterrents, incomes belief inside the group. Regardless of useful resource limitations, the RRU-HWC has empowered native wildlife committees, impressed community-led initiatives, and strengthened partnerships with authorities and NGOs. Their dedication has not solely mitigated conflicts but in addition fostered a tradition of conservation, making certain long-term advantages for each individuals and wildlife.
1st Runner Up: Tango 1 Cell APU Group, Tana Delta, Kenya
2nd Runner Up: South Luangwa K9 Unit, South Luangwa Nationwide Park, Zambia
Greatest Ranger Supporter
Winner: Munene Kamundi, Sturdy Ranger Initiative, Kenya
Munene Kamundi is a devoted advocate for wildlife ranger wellbeing, leveraging his experience in occupational well being and security to handle crucial challenges confronted by rangers in conservation. Regardless of monetary hardships and useful resource limitations, he has reached over 400 rangers this 12 months, aiming to assist 5,000 yearly. By means of his revolutionary wellness ambassadors program, Kamundi promotes psychological well being, security practices, and emergency response coaching, aligning with world biodiversity frameworks just like the Kunming-Montreal settlement. His tireless dedication, even within the face of adversity, highlights his transformative management and imaginative and prescient to combine ranger wellbeing into sustainable conservation efforts throughout Africa.
1st Runner Up: Amon Koutoua Benoît, Technical Director, Workplace Ivoirien des Parcs et Réserves, Côte d’Ivoire
2nd Runner Up: WCS Congo Counter-Wildlife Trafficking Groups (North and South), DRC and Republic of Congo
In a poignant video message, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, esteemed Patron of the African Conservation Awards, paid homage to the courageous conservation heroes who’ve made the last word sacrifice. He solemnly honored the reminiscence of the 64 rangers who tragically misplaced their lives within the line of obligation over the previous 12 months, safeguarding our planet’s invaluable pure heritage. Prince Albert expressed profound gratitude to those fallen heroes and to all of Africa’s rangers, who selflessly dedicate their lives to defending our pure areas. He urged collective motion to assist the 30×30 world initiative, emphasizing that attaining these bold objectives requires offering rangers with the sources, infrastructure, and instruments they urgently want. His message carried a deep reverence for the hundreds of rangers who face immense dangers every day, serving as steadfast guardians of our planet’s biodiversity and pure wonders.
“Yearly we’re reminded of the dedication, dedication and resilience required to be a ranger in Africa. This 12 months is not any totally different and people recognised at this time are a few of Africa’s greatest working in seven totally different international locations throughout our continent. We’re humbled to name them our colleagues and to have the ability to convey their work out into the sunshine for all to see. It’s notably thrilling to be recognising Marine Rangers this 12 months who do such inspiring work on our oceans and coastlines to preserve our marine sources. Nicely performed to the winners, runner ups and nominees of the African Conservation Awards 2024! Thanks for what you do for our planet and its individuals!” – Andrew Campbell, CEO, Recreation Rangers Affiliation of Africa
The African Conservation Awards are hosted yearly by the Recreation Rangers’ Affiliation of Africa (GRAA) and are endorsed by the Division of Forestry, Fisheries and Atmosphere. His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, who’s dedicated to the safety of endangered species via the assist of his Basis, is the Patron of the African Conservation Awards.
For extra details about the African Conservation Awards, please go to https://apo-opa.co/4eD5JFr.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Recreation Rangers Affiliation of Africa.
Media Contact:
Recreation Rangers Affiliation of Africa
Louise de Bruin
E-mail: info@gameranger.org
GRAA background:
The Recreation Rangers’ Affiliation of Africa (GRAA) is a non-profit organisation, based in 1970 which gives assist, networks and illustration for rangers throughout Africa. The GRAA is a proud member of the Worldwide Ranger Federation (IRF) and the Worldwide Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) the place it serves because the voice of the African ranger.
Data:
African Conservation Awards: https://www.ConservationAwards.africa
Recreation Rangers Affiliation of Africa: https://www.GameRanger.org/