LONDON – Britain’s Prince William on Tuesday honoured three conservationists, among them Namibian Garth Owen-Smith, for their work in Africa. Garth Owen-Smith was given a lifetime achievement award for his community-driven work in Namibia.
Emmanuel de Merode, hailed for his work protecting endangered mountain gorillas and other wildlife during conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park, was given the Tusk Conservation Award.
Merode was shot in the chest and abdomen by unidentified gunmen last year. The park he oversees is criss-crossed by rival armed groups and soldiers and coveted by loggers, poachers and oil firms.
Also awarded was Kenyan Edward Ndiritu, who was given the inaugural Wildlife Ranger award for his bravery confronting poachers.
“Without people like Garth, Emmanuel and Edward – the true unsung heroes of conservation in Africa – we would be facing a very dire situation indeed,” said Prince William, who is a patron of the Tusk conservation charity.
