SRT rangers honoured by Rhino Conservation Awards for their battle against poaching
“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. Know that we will continue to stand at your side, as every effort is recognised and appreciated” said Dr Larry Hansen, co-founder of the Rhino Conservation Awards at the recent awards ceremony.
Two Namibians who are daily involved in the battle against poaching, Martin Nawaseb and Boas Hambo received the runner-up award in the Conservation Practitioner category as part of the Save the Rhino Trust’s Conservancy Rhino Ranger Incentive Programme.
The overall winner in this category is the entire Marula South ranger team from South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
“I was very happy to be able to attend the event, to meet so many rangers from across Africa and of course to bring back an award to Namibia. It really felt great when they called our names and everyone cheered, especially the Namibians in the crowd!” said Hambo, the SRT Rhino Ranger Northern Field Coordinator.
The Rhino Conservation Awards held on 21 August near Johannesburg, celebrated conservationists who have made a marked impact in the war against rhino poaching. With a holistic view of rhino conservation, the Awards honour those that strive to limit risks and vulnerabilities within their specific areas of expertise, from field rangers to conservation practitioners, conservation supporters, political, investigative and judicial supporters and endangered species conservationists.
“It is very exciting to be recognized by our peers from all across Africa. This is truly a team award, one that so many individuals and institutions working at the coal-face of rhino conservation in north-west Namibia can be proud of. For conservation efforts to be successful we need a collaborative approach with efforts being made by a variety of passionate contributors” said Dr Jeff Muntifering, Save the Rhino Trust’s Science Advisor.
The Rhino Conservation awards were founded in 2012 by Dr Larry Hansen and Miss Xiaoyang Yu, sponsored by Carl Zeiss Sport Optics with the support of the South African Department of Environmental Affairs and the Game Rangers Association of Africa, under the patronage of His Serene Higness Prince Albert II of Monaco.
The overall “Rhino Conservation” award went to Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Adam Pires.
Captured for Conservation at the Rhino Conservation awards are, from the left, Dr Larry Hansen, Chairman & CEO of Hasselblad Cameras, a joint sponsor, Miss Xiaoyang Yu, the co-founder, Ms Gail Giordanie from Carl Zeiss Sport Optics, the main sponsor, Boas Hambo from the SRT, Hon Edna Molewa, the South African Minister of Environmental Affairs, Martin Nawaseb from the SRT and Chris Galliers, the Chairman of the Game Rangers Association of Africa.
