UK's Prince William honours Kenya ranger
Prince William. He has honoured a ranger in Lewa Conservancy with the Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award for his zeal in wildlife conservation as head of the anti-poaching unit. AFP PHOTO | POOL | LUKE MACGREGOR
What you need to know:
- The Duke of Cambridge said he was picked for his dedication and bravery in protecting Africa’s increasingly endangered wildlife.
- Mr Ndiritu was selected by an independent panel of judges.
- He oversees an area that stretches more than 44,000 sq km, is home to 33 community managed wildlife conservancies.
A ranger in Lewa Conservancy has become the first recipient of a global award by the UK’s Prince William for his fight against poachers.
Mr Edward Ndiritu won the Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award for his zeal in wildlife conservation as head of the anti-poaching unit at Lewa Conservancy.
He is credited with establishing a poacher-surveillance model that has been replicated in other conservancies.
In a glowing letter to Mr Ndiritu, The Duke of Cambridge said he was picked for his dedication and bravery in protecting Africa’s increasingly endangered wildlife.
“May I take the opportunity to... thank you for the extraordinary contribution you and your team at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy have made towards both the protection of wildlife and rural communities of northern Kenya,” said the prince.
Tusk’s co-founder and CEO Charlie Mayhew described Mr Ndiritu as an exceptional man, whose professionalism and dedication had earned him respect, not only amongst his team, but across the wider conservation community in Kenya.
Lewa CEO Richard Vigne and Northern Rangeland Trust’s CEO Mike Watson congratulated Mr Ndiritu for his win, saying it was a major boost to ongoing conservation work in northern Kenya.
The Prince, who is the patron of the conservation charity Tusk USA, said Mr Ndiritu had endeared himself and his team to conservancy communities, thereby helping enlist their support in the war against poachers.
“Engagement of rural communities has also helped improve security, thereby enhancing their ability to engage in meaningful development activities,” he said.
Mr Ndiritu was selected by an independent panel of judges.
Lewa’s 128 rhinos
He oversees an area that stretches more than 44,000 sq km, is home to 33 community managed wildlife conservancies and the 128 rhinos living within the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
Mr Ndiritu will travel to London in November to receive his award.
As part of the Tusk Conservation Awards launched by Tusk in 2013 in partnership with Investec Asset Management and Land Rover, Mr Ndiritu will receive a special medal commissioned by Tiffany & Co and a grant for a project of his choice.
