A celebration of champions for wild animals and their natural habitats. \ Une célébration des champions des animaux sauvages et de leurs habitats naturels. [1]

    2023
    Journalism, Photo-journalism
    Brian Christy · Investigative journalist and founder of National Geographic Special Investigations
    Brent Stirton · Photographer, notably for National Geographic Magazine

    Recognized for investigative journalism, in particular, documenting the illegal trade in ivory.

    Reconnu pour journalisme, documentant notamment le commerce illégal de l'ivoire.

    Journalism
    Jeffrey Barbee · Investigative journalist, notably for National Geographic Wildlife Watch
    Laurel A Neme · Investigative journalist, notably for National Geographic Wildlife Watch

    Recognized for investigative journalism, in particular, reporting on reconnaissance in the Kavango basin.

    Reconnu pour journalisme, notamment des reportages de reconnaissance dans le bassin du Kavango.



      
    2022
    Arts, Sciences
    Thalefang Samuel Charles · Photographer and storyteller, Botswana – Wild Bird Trust

    Recognized for his chronicles of Indigenous knowledge across the Okavango Delta.

    Reconnu pour ses chroniques du savoir autochtones à travers le delta de l'Okavango.

    Arts, Sciences
    Rolf Steinmann · Wildlife cinematographer, In Between (short film, 2015)

    Recognized for cinematography of wildlife in the Arctic, Antarctic and in between.

    Reconnu pour la cinématographie de la nature dans l'Arctique et l'Antarctique.

    +
    In Memoriam

    Dr Richard Erskine Frere Leakey (1944-2022) · Renowned paleoanthropologist and wildlife conservationist.

    Remembered as an activist for democracy in Africa and as an advocate for African science, from the fossil-rich sedimentary rocks on the shore of Lake Turkana in northern Kenya all the way to the head of Kenya Wildlife Service in 1989 and then to the head of the Kenyan Civil Service in 1998. \ Connu comme un militant pour la démocratie en Afrique et un défenseur de la science africaine, depuis les roches sédimentaires riches en fossiles sur les rives du lac Turkana, dans le nord du Kenya, jusqu'au chef du Kenya Wildlife Service en 1989, et puis au chef de la fonction publique kenyane en 1998.



      
    2021
    Arts
    Dr Anne Christine Innis Dagg, CM · Zoologist and author, Anne Innis Dagg Foundation

    Recognized for her foundational research of giraffes.

    Reconnue pour ses recherches fondamentales sur les girafes.

    Sciences
    Dr Monica L Bond · Wildlife biologist and co-founder of Wild Nature Institute
    Dr Derek E Lee · Wildlife biologist and co-founder of Wild Nature Institute

    Recognized for scientific research of Maasai giraffes in Tanzania.

    Reconnu pour la recherche scientifique sure les girafes en Tanzanie.



      
    2020
    Arts
    Dr Paula Kahumbu · President of Wildlife Direct assumed office in 2007

    Recognized for her role in shining a light on wildlife conservation in Kenya.

    Reconnue pour son rôle dans la conservation de la nature au Kenya.

    Sciences
    Dr Rutledge (Steve) Boyes · Founder of Wild Bird Trust in partnership with NGOWP
    Adjany Costa · Angolan minister of Culture, Tourism, Environment appointed April 2020
    Kerllen Costa · Program director of NGOWP Angola assumed office April 2020

    Recognized for leadership and scientific research in the Okavango Delta watershed.

    Reconnu pour la recherche scientifique dans le bassin versant du delta de l'Okavango.



      
    2019
    Politics \ Politique
    Mumilaaq Qaqqaq · Member of Parliament for Nunavut assumed office October 2019

    Recognized for her progressive leadership in Canada.

    Reconnue pour sa direction progressiste au Canada.

    Sciences
    Dr Michael John Chase · Elephant ecologist, co-founder of Elephants Without Borders
    Kelly Landen · Naturalist and photographer, co-founder of Elephants Without Borders

    Recognized for scientific research of elephants in the Kavango-Zambezi area.

    Reconnu pour la recherche scientifique dans la région de Kavango-Zambezi.



      
    2018
    Politics \ Politique
    Debra Anne Haaland · Representative of New Mexico assumed office January 2019

    Recognized for her progressive leadership in America.

    Reconnue pour sa direction progressiste en Amérique.

    Sciences
    Angela Sheldrick · President of Sheldrick Wildlife Trust assumed office in 2001

    Recognized for her continued conservation leadership in Kenya.

    Reconnue pour sa poursuite de la conservation au Kenya.

    +
    In Memoriam

    Dr Dame Daphne Marjorie Sheldrick (1934-2018) · Founder of Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

    Remembered for her dedication to wilderness and all that it embrases, to the memory of David and the pioneer wardens of national parks in Kenya, and to her family – and future generations – so that they may know how it was once upon a time. \ Rappelée pour son dévouement à la nature sauvage et à tout ce qu'elle englobe, à la mémoire de David et des gardiens pionniers des parcs nationaux du Kenya, et à sa famille – et aux générations futures – afin qu'ils sachent comment c'était autrefois.



      
    2017
    Politics \ Politique
    Megan Anissa Leslie · President of WWF Canada assumed office December 2017

    Recognized for her environmental advocacy in Canada.

    Reconnue pour sa défense de l'environnement au Canada.

    Sciences
    Dr Cynthia Jane Moss · Ethologist and founder of Amboseli Trust for Elephants
    Dr Joyce Hatheway Poole · Ethologist and co-founder of Elephant Voices
    Petter Granli · Chief executive officer and co-founder of Elephant Voices

    Recognized for scientific research of elephants in Kenya.

    Reconnu pour la recherche scientifique sur les éléphants au Kenya.



      
    2016
    Arts
    Nick Brandt · Director and photographer, co-founder of Big Life Foundation
    Richard Bonham · Conservationist, co-founder of Big Life Foundation

    Recognized for conservation leadership in the Greater Amboseli ecosystem.

    Reconnu pour ses efforts de conservation dans l'écosystème Amboseli.

    Sciences
    Sir David Frederick Attenborough and BBC Studios Natural History Unit

    Recognized as a voice for the natural world.

    Reconnu comme une voix pour le monde naturel.



      
    2015
    Arts
    Robert (Bob) McLellan Bateman, CM · Naturalist and artist, Bateman Foundation

    Recognized for his artwork to conserve nature in Canada.

    Reconnu pour ses œuvres visant à préserver la nature au Canada.

    Sciences
    Dr Dame Jane Morris Goodall · Primatologist and anthropologist, Jane Goodall Institute

    Recognized for her advocacy to conserve the nature world.

    Reconnue pour sa défense de la conservation de la nature.


Young people, when they are empowered, given the opportunity to take action to make the world a better place, truly are our hope for tomorrow. \ « Les jeunes, lorsqu'ils sont responsabilisés et ont la possibilité d'agir pour rendre le monde meilleur, sont vraiment notre espoir pour demain. »
— Jane Goodall, TED: How humans and animals can live together (2007)