Tusk royal patron Prince William honours Africa's wildlife warriors

“I worry a great deal that our generation is not meeting our moral obligation to leave this planet in better shape than we inherited it," the prince said. "Our children and grandchildren will not thank us if we fail in our duty to reverse the decline in so many species.”

The Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa

Archbishop Desmond Tutu presented The Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa to Rian Labuschagne. Labuschagne has dedicated his life to the preservation of some of the world’s most endangered species and important wildlife reserves. “Thanks to Rian, Chad has witnessed one of conservations’ great success stories unfold with the revival of Zakouma National Park and its decimated elephant population,” said Tusk CEO Charlie Mayhew.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu presents award to Prince William Award winner Rian Labuschagne.

The Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa was presented to Brighton Kumchedwa by former first lady Graça Machel. The award recognises his ground-breaking work in Malawi, one of southern Africa’s major illegal wildlife trade routes.

Graça Machel presents Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa to Brighton Kumchedwa.

The Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award, introduced in 2015, this year jointly honours the bravery and dedication of two men leading teams risking their lives day and night on poaching’s front line. Former South African President FW de Klerk presented the award to Solomon Chidunuka, based in Zambia’s Northern Province and to Lucky Ndlovu from Kruger National Park.

FW de Klerk presents Rangers Awards to joint winners Lucky Ndlovu and Solomon Chidunuka.

In closing the ceremony, the former South African president said, “Africa, indeed the whole world, owes them (the finalists) a huge debt of gratitude.”