Prince William is to give his name to a new lifetime achievement award, which will recognise the outstanding work of a top conservationist in Africa each year.

The Tusk Conservation Awards will include a lifetime achievement award that is to be known as The Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa. The awards, launched in autumn 2012 in partnership with global investment firm Investec Asset Management, attracted fifty nominations from across Africa.

The Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa is a lifetime achievement award, given to a distinguished individual for outstanding dedication and exceptional contribution over many years to conservation in Africa. The winning individual, selected from a shortlist of nominations received, will be presented with a grant, provided by Investec Asset Management, towards their chosen project.

This is one of two annual awards under the Tusk Awards umbrella.

The second award, named The Tusk Conservation Award and supported by Land Rover, recognises an up-and-coming conservationist whose work has already demonstrated an exceptional commitment to conservation and has made a significant impact. The award winner and runners-up will be presented with grants to further their work. The shortlist of five conservationists nominated for The Tusk Conservation Award is as follows:

• Alasdair Harris (Madagascar)
• Edwin Kinyangui (Kenya)
• Tom Lalampaa (Kenya)
• Josia Razafindramanana (Madagascar)
• Kerri Wolter (South Africa)

Iain Rawlinson, Chairman of Tusk, said, “We are extremely honoured that the Prince has given his name to this award. The prestige his name adds will ensure that the conservation world recognises the remarkable work of the winner of his award every year. We are delighted that Investec Asset Management has partnered with us to make these awards possible.”

Tusk CEO, Charlie Mayhew, said, “We are looking forward to announcing the winners of both these new awards in September and excited that Tiffany & Co has kindly agreed to design two uniquely crafted trophies to be presented on the night. We are also hugely grateful to British Airways, Dom Perignon and the Draycott Hotel for their invaluable support for this initiative.”

Further details of the five nominees shortlisted for The Tusk Conservation Award can be found on www.tuskawards.com

This feed was drawn from the Tusk Trust website

In recent months, poaching of elephants and rhinos has reached epidemic levels. Wildlife experts indicate the losses have reached such unsustainable levels - in some places in the tens of thousands - that certain populations of African elephant are for the first time threatened with extinction within a decade. Both the black and white rhino are also under unprecedented attack for their horn and this grave threat comes on the heels of a period where populations of wild tigers have decreased by more than 90 percent. Although the poaching of wildlife for ivory and other parts is nothing new, certainly the scale of the activity has reached heights not seen before. In addition, what used to be called simple “poaching” must now be called “trafficking”. Experts are finding more and more evidence that the illegal activity is being driven by international organized criminal networks and, in some cases, terrorist and rebel militia groups. It seems no country with valuable wildlife populations is immune from the activity, which not only robs citizens of natural resources, but also contributes to global instability.

The Prince of Wales and the British Government’s objective for the 21st May conference is to put what has become a battle against wildlife trafficking at the top of the global agenda. HRH The Duke of Cambridge and HRH Prince Henry of Wales will also attend the conference. The meeting will focus on promoting international efforts to:

• reduce demand for endangered wildlife and related products in markets around the world;
• increase capacity for global law enforcement against the organised syndicates engaged in this activity;
• assist rural communities to find long-term, viable alternatives to the trade.
   

This feed was drawn from the Tusk Trust website

Take a look at the link below to see the latest update on the Duke of Cambridge's website about his support of Tusk.

http://www.dukeandduchessofcambridge.org/focus2/conservation#na

This feed was drawn from the Tusk Trust website

On Friday 3rd May, Tusk will be the beneficiary of the preview evening at Talisman, the noted design showroom, for an exhibition of works by the eminent contemporary sculptor Geoffrey Dashwood. This will be a major exhibition of the artist’s work outside London, with Talisman showcasing his bronzes, ranging from life-size to monumental works.

Dashwood is widely renowned for his abstracted sculptures of different breeds of birds. The unique and signature colouring of his bronzes is perfectly displayed through the wide range of pieces for sale during this exhibition.

Talisman has joined forces with Tusk for the launch of this exhibition. Talisman sees the Dashwood exhibition, displaying the craftsmanship of a dedicated naturalist, as the perfect platform to promote the work of this locally based charity committed to an impressive range of conservation initiatives. Proceeds from sales through the exhibition Preview weekend will go to Tusk.

Charlie Mayhew MBE, CEO of Tusk noted:

"Tusk is delighted to be collaborating with Talisman and highlight our work with communities in Africa, particularly as the current escalation in rhino and elephant poaching presents an immediate threat to the viability of these iconic species. We cannot be the generation that allows this to happen."

Preview Weekend: Saturday 4th (10am-4pm), Sunday 5th & Bank Holiday Monday 6th May 2013 (11am-2pm)
Exhibition : 4th to 31st May 2013

For further information contact: (0)1747 823 372
www.talismanlondon.com

This feed was drawn from the Tusk Trust website

It was a tremendous evening with lots of positive feedback from the parents, the children and the staff. Simon somehow managed to appeal to the children as well as the adults – not always an easy call – and we all thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.

Special thanks go to Simon for sparing an evening in the midst of a very heavy schedule and for giving an enlightening, amusing and certainly thought-provoking talk, woven around his experiences filming wildlife in Africa. The pupils were particularly captivated by his array of animal sound imitations, ranging from blackbird to cheetah and an unforgettable hippo duet with the Deputy Headmaster!

The event raised a wonderful total of £2,570 and Tusk would very much like to thank Sandroyd School and Natural High Safaris for their valued support.

This feed was drawn from the Tusk Trust website

The eco-conscious fashion project, launched in 2011 by London designer and entrepreneur Oliver Tomalin, follows the dream of “fashion for the love of elephants”.

Tomalin’s belief is putting ideas together for the greater good. “I have taken an endangered animal I love and put it together with lifestyle clothing I am passionate about”, explains the designer. With his mixing of ideas, the entrepreneur hopes for a deeper cultural shift where consumers will start to consciously and subconsciously associate products with charitable giving, “Life blended better”.

The Love Brand & Co. classic shorts collection is inspired and motivated by endangered Asian and African elephants, adopting silver alloy drawstring aglets in the shape of elephant tusks. The connecting element is even stained red to act as a symbol of past ivory poaching.

“I have huge admiration for Tusk Trust, I believe in its approach to conservation of African wildlife wholeheartedly” says Tomalin.

Love Brand & Co. donates 5% of its sales to elephant conservation and helps raise key awareness for the ongoing plight of our planets largest land mammal.

Love Brand & Co. products are sold at Department Stores, Concept Stores and luxury hotels and resorts across over 20 countries and online at www.lovebrand.com

This feed was drawn from the Tusk Trust website

Following on from the key-note speech that he gave to the world's media last year at the UK premiere of African Cats and a subsequent exclusive interview that he gave to the BBC to highlight the translocation of three black rhino to Mkomazi National Park Tanzania supported by Tusk, this latest message demonstrates his genuine concern and passion to tackle the issue.

Watch his video message here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma4s74Dpso4

This feed was drawn from the Tusk Trust website

New campaign highlighting the crisis facing elephant and rhino launches on Monday 4th March 2013 at the Cotswold Wildlife Park with Owen Patterson, Secretary of State for the Environment, and Charlie Mayhew, CEO of Tusk.

For more information please visit the 'If They're Gone' Campaign page.

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Entry forms for International Runners (non Kenya residents) are now available to download from the Tusk website. Visit the Safaricom Marathon 2013 page.

This feed was drawn from the Tusk Trust website

This feed was drawn from the Tusk Trust website