Duke praises five fighting for wildlife

Unsung heroes on the front line of conservation in Africa have been hailed in a shortlist for the prestigious Tusk Awards.

Three finalists, from Malawi, Nigeria and Kenya, have been selected in the main category, while two more have been chosen in the Wildlife Ranger Award.

The Duke of Cambridge, the charity’s Royal Patron, who has previously spent time in Africa working with the recipients of past commendations, said it was “vital” their work was recognised.

“We all owe them a huge debt of gratitude,” said Prince William. “I am immensely proud of the achievements Tusk has made. When it was founded in 1990, few were prepared to listen to its message about protecting wildlife and nurturing communities. Now, more than 25 years later, Tusk is a powerful voice that speaks out and is heard around the world.”

The winners of the fifth annual Tusk Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Cape Town in October.

Brighton Kumchedwa, who has dedicated his life to conservation in Malawi, Nachamada Geoffrey, who leads a team in Nigeria’s Yankari Game Reserve, and Serah Munguti, who works in Kenya’s biodiverse Tana River Delta, were the three shortlisted for the Tusk Award.

Solomon Chidunuka, based in northern Zambia, and Lucky Ndlovu, from South Africa’s Kruger National Park, are the two Wildlife Ranger Award finalists, the first time two people have been shortlisted.

The Duke and 2015 winner Edward Ndiritu