As the years roll and RAP-SL steps up its conservation effort, the Founder and Managing Director Mr. Edward Aruna’s effort in the conservation world was recognized by TUSK (www.tusk.org ) .
Tusk is a dynamic and adaptable organization with over 30 years’ experience in initiating and funding wildlife conservation programmes across Africa (https://tusk.org/about-us/who-we-are/). Tusk’s mission is to accelerate the impact of African-driven conservation since they believe local people and organizations are best positioned to address needed conservation issues but are often under-resourced and lack the recognition they deserve.
For this, annual Tusk Conservation Awards were established in 2013 in partnership with Ninety-One and in conjunction with His Royal Highness (HRH) The Prince of Wales, to celebrate the achievements of extraordinary people whose work protecting Africa’s irreplaceable natural heritage might otherwise go unnoticed. All finalists not only receive grants to support their work, but also the international recognition they have earned, which further contributes to the development of their projects. The three Awards are as follows:
The Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa, supported by Ninety-One, is a lifetime achievement award, given to a distinguished individual for their outstanding dedication and exceptional contribution to conservation in Africa over many years.
The Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa, supported by Defender, recognizes an emerging leader in conservation whose work has already demonstrated an exceptional commitment and has made a significant impact to date.
The Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award, supported by the Nick Maughan Foundation, recognizes the dedication and bravery of rangers working to protect Africa’s increasingly endangered wildlife.
For 2024, Mr. Edward Aruna of RAP-SL was awarded The Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa on the 27th of November 2024. The award came along with Seventy-five thousand Great Britain Pounds (GBP75,000) as a support to Mr. Aruna conservation effort for three years. With this grant, RAP-SL is to continue with its conservation efforts including awareness raising, data collection sea turtles’ nesting and by-catches within artisanal fisheries in Sierra Leone. Thanks, and Praises to the Prince of Wale, His Royal Highness Prince William, Ninety – One, the award selection Committee and Staff of Tusk for recognizing Mr. Aruna’s Effort in Sierra Leone, West Africa.
