Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa
This award goes to an individual judged to be an emerging conservation leader, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to conservation and considerable success shown in their chosen field. The winner is announced on the night of the Awards, with all three finalists receiving a grant towards their work. Find out more about our past winners and our 2022 finalists by clicking on their names below.
Previous winners include Tom Lalampaa from Kenya (2013), Herizo Andrianandrasana from Madagascar (2014), Dr Emmanuel de Merode from DRC (2015), Cathy Dreyer from South Africa (2016), Brighton Kumchedwa from Malawi (2017), Vincent Opyene from Uganda (2018), Tomas Diagne from Senegal (2019), John Kamanga from Kenya (2020), Julie Razafimanahaka from Madagascar (2021), and the 2022 winner was Miguel Gonçalves from Madagascar.
This award is generously sponsored by
The 2022 winner was announced at the Tusk Conservation Awards ceremony in November 2022.
Meet the 2022 winner
Miguel Goncalves – Mozambique
Winner of the Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa 2022
Maputo National Park – Park Warden
Miguel has worked within the Maputo National Park since 1999, becoming Park Warden in 2008. Under Miguel’s inspirational leadership across the last 12 years, the park has changed dramatically from a free-for-all hunting ground to a landscape able to support thriving populations of wildlife and recovering ecosystems.
You can watch Miguel’s story below or read more here.
Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa 2022
ANNOUNCING THE SHORTLIST FOR THE 2022 TUSK AWARD FOR CONSERVATION IN AFRICA, CHARLIE MAYHEW, TUSK TRUST CEO SAID:
“The threat to Africa’s wildlife and wider biodiversity remains real and urgent. With the devastating economic impact of COVID-19 still being felt across Africa, this year’s finalists for the Tusk Award provide a beacon of hope as the continent’s emerging leaders in conservation, working tirelessly on the front line to protect Africa’s extraordinary natural heritage.
“To mark the 10th year of these prestigious awards, we are excited to use the opportunity to bring together previous awards alumni with this year’s finalists.”
Past Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa Winners
Julie Razafimanahaka – Madagascar
Winner of the Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa 2021
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Julie oversees the organisation’s mission to prevent the extinction of Madagascar’s endemic species. During Julie’s sixteen years in the field she has achieved a huge amount, becoming a true conservation leader. Julie’s leadership has enabled MV to establish four significant protected areas in the Ambatondrazaka district, eastern Madagascar, where colonies of the flying fox roost. Without Julie’s work, much less of the Mangabe rainforest would still be standing today.
You can watch Julie’s story below or read more here.
John Kamanga – Kenya
Winner of the Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa 2020
South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO) – Executive Director.
John is one of Kenya’s foremost grassroots conservation leaders who has dedicated his career to developing a vision for the co-existence of pastoralists and wildlife. In Kenya, where 68% of wildlife resides on community land, supporting the ability of people and wildlife to co-exist is central to the future of wildlife conservation. He was presented his award by The Duke of Cambridge.
You can watch John’s story below or read more here.
Tomas Diagne | Senegal
Winner of the Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa 2019
Three pioneering Africans were nominated for the 2019 Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa, and applauded for their work which has played a significant role in conserving endangered environments and species. The winner, Tomas Diagne, who, at the age of 23, started the NGO ‘Save our Sulcatas’ to rescue captive Sulcata tortoises, going on to establish a successful breeding and release programme that today continues at the ‘Village Des Tortues’ in Noflaye, Senegal. He was presented his award by The Duke of Cambridge.
You can watch Tomas’s story below or read more here.
