Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award
An award to recognise the dedication and commitment of an individual who works in the field on a daily basis to protect Africa’s wildlife.
This award gives international recognition to the men and women who face danger every day to protect Africa’s wildlife. Rangers often work for little reward, risking and regularly losing their lives to protect the world’s wildlife and its fragile ecosystems.
Previous winners have included Edward Ndiritu from Kenya (2015), Manuel Sacaia from Angola (2016), Solomon Chidunuka from Zambia and Lucky Ndlovu from South Africa(2017), Julius Obwona from from Uganda (2018), Benson Kanyembo from Zimbabwe (2019), and the 2020 winner was Amos Gwema from Zimbabwe.
2021 Nominations are now open.
Please complete the online form to nominate someone for the Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award 2021. Make sure you have reviewed the eligibility and criteria outlined for this award below, and that you have all required information prior to completion.
Click here to view a printable sample PDF version of the form for reference.
Deadline: Please submit the complete pre nomination form no later than 26th March 2021. If you have any queries contact [email protected].
NOMINATE NOW
This award is generously sponsored by
The Nick Maughan Foundation
Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award Eligibility & Criteria
An award to recognise the dedication and commitment of an individual who works in the field on a daily basis to protect Africa’s wildlife.
Eligibility
- The nominee must be an active ranger and a citizen of an African country.
- The nominee must have worked as a ranger for more than ten years.
- Team nominations will not be eligible.
Criteria
- Recognised leader amongst colleagues.
- Grassroots career – worked through the ranks.
- Team player.
- Award not defined by discipline – community-based scout, intelligence, wildlife department scout, monitoring and research based.
- Influenced policy for management of wildlife in-country.
- Influenced policy for ranger welfare.
- Influenced policy for wildlife status in country.
- Proven record in protecting/safe guarding human-rights.
- Role model for new recruits.
- Provides mentorship for new recruits.
- Self-sacrifice to the wildlife and therefore job.
- Incorruptible.
- Courageous.
- Impact on levels of poaching / illegal wildlife trade / human-wildlife conflict.
- Length of service.
- Strong local references.
- Not a member of a private security company.
The 2020 winner is …
Amos Gwema – Zimbabwe
Winner of the Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award 2020
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority -Principal Intelligence Officer.
Amos is a dedicated individual who has changed the way intelligence work contributes to the protection of Zimbabwe’s wildlife. Over the last 15 years he has convicted the highest number of poachers of any officer in the parks authority, all of whom are currently serving prison time. His greatest achievement has been the massive reduction in elephant poaching in Hwange National Park. Through his work poached elephant numbers have declined from over 300 in 2013 to 25 in 2019.
Watch the video below to hear Amos’ story below or read more here.
Past Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award Winners
Benson Kanyembo | Zambia
Winner of the Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award 2019
In 2019 the Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award honoured the bravery and dedication of a man who leads the fight against poaching on Zambia’s frontline. Benson Kanyembo is a ranger’s ranger; physically tough, incredibly hardworking and resilient without seeking recognition or reward.
Watch the video below to hear Benson’ story below or read more here.
If you’ve been inspired by Amos’s story, learn about another finalist, or let others know about the Tusk Awards.
