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Zimbabwean Conservationist Wins Prestigious Goldman Award for Africa


Award recipients are often recognized for protecting endangered species and ecosystems, combating destructive development, promoting sustainability and seeking environmental justice

Zimbabwean conservationist Raoul Du Toit has won the prestigious Goldman Award for Africa for his leadership in initiatives to protect the country’s remaining population of black rhinos, the San Francisco-based Goldman Environmental Foundation has announced.

Award recipients are often recognized for protecting endangered species and ecosystems, combating destructive development, promoting sustainability and seeking environmental justice.

According to the foundation, winners are often women and men from isolated villages or inner cities who run personal risks in their work.

Du Toit paid tribute to colleagues and officers in the Zimbabwe Republic Police and Parks and Wildlife for working together to reduce the poaching of endangered species in the country.

He told VOA Studio 7 reporter Sandra Nyaira the award, which provides $150,000 dollars in financial support, would not have been possible without their cooperation.

Du Toit fears a change for the worse in the country’s political situation would take the attention of the police from anti-poaching activities to politics, leaving internal and external poachers room to kill endangered animals.

He said the award means a lot to him and those fighting to save Zimbabwe's endangered species.

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