The Prince of Wales celebrated conservationists and wildlife rangers at this year’s Tusk Awards on Tuesday evening, calling on people to do “more to support those who support our natural world.”
William attended the awards ceremony at Hampton Court Palace as patron of the Tusk Trust. In a speech, he said that the world should not lose focus on the natural world and nature in these times: “We are living through turbulent times, and it is all too easy to lose sight of how critical it is that we look after our natural world.
“But we must remain focused on investing in nature and the environment, protecting it for future generations. We must not pass on the baton to our children and grandchildren, apologising for our lack of collective action.”
The Tusk Awards are celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Three awards are presented annually: the Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa, the Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award, and the Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa.
Neddy Mulimo, a wildlife ranger from Namibia, won the Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award for his specialised work in anti-poaching endeavours and his commitment to teaching and training young conservationists and wildlife rangers.
Ian Craig, a conservationist who has served as a mentor to William in the conservation world, was a joint winner of the Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa, sharing the honour with Achilles Brunnei Byaruhanga, who operates Nature Uganda. In addition, Miguel Gonçalves won the Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa.
The Prince of Wales also paid tribute to the wildlife rangers who lost their lives in the past year on behalf of their work, calling their deaths “a shocking reminder of the ultimate price paid by too many men and women on the frontline of conservation. The work that rangers and game scouts do as nature’s guardians is truly remarkable.”
In a tweet, William wrote: “The #TUSKAwards celebrates the truly remarkable people working on the frontline of conservation in Africa. The commitment, innovation and courage they show is deeply humbling.
“Finalists, winners and @Tusk_org alumni, you are nature’s guardians – thank you for everything you do.”
Prince William has been patron of the Tusk Trust since 2005 and helped the charitable organisation set up its awards ceremony in 2013, which he regularly attends.
