Ethiopia’s Director-General of the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA), Kumara Wakjira, has been awarded the 2025 Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa, one of the continent’s most prestigious recognitions for conservation leadership. Presented during the Tusk Conservation Awards ceremony in London, the honour celebrates individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and long-term impact in safeguarding Africa’s wildlife.

Kumara was recognised for more than three decades of service marked by scientific leadership, institutional reform and a tireless commitment to strengthening Ethiopia’s conservation systems. Throughout his career, he has helped expand protected areas, modernise monitoring and research programmes, bolster anti-poaching measures and promote community-based conservation models tailored to local realities.

The award also highlights Kumara’s central role in protecting Ethiopia’s endangered species, including the Ethiopian wolf, the world’s rarest canid, the Walia ibex, African elephants, lions, gelada baboons, mountain nyala and numerous bird species found only in Ethiopia’s highlands and Rift Valley ecosystems. Conservation organisations praised him for his balanced approach, combining scientific rigour with compassion for communities and wildlife.

The Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, led by Kumara, is responsible for managing the nation’s national parks, wildlife reserves and protected landscapes. In recent years, EWCA has undertaken major initiatives to strengthen ranger training, restore degraded habitats, improve wildlife population surveys, enhance law-enforcement capabilities and introduce modern conservation tools such as wildlife detection dogs and digital monitoring systems.

EWCA has also focused heavily on integrating local communities into conservation, ensuring that people living near protected areas benefit from ecotourism, sustainable resource use and conservation-related employment. These efforts have contributed to stabilising populations of threatened species and increasing global recognition of Ethiopia’s role in biodiversity protection.

Ethiopia is home to some of Africa’s most unique and diverse wildlife. Its dramatic landscapes—from the Simien Mountains and Bale Highlands to the Rift Valley lakes and arid lowlands, harbour an extraordinary array of species found nowhere else on Earth. The country’s highlands support iconic endemics such as the Ethiopian wolf, Walia ibex, gelada monkey and a wide range of rare bird species. Lowland ecosystems shelter elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, antelopes, crocodiles and migratory birds. This rich biodiversity has made Ethiopia a major focus of global conservation efforts, and Kumara’s leadership has been central to advancing their protection.

Kumara Wakjira is a trained biologist who began his career as a park warden before rising through various leadership roles. His field experience positioned him as a hands-on conservationist who understands both ecological science and community dynamics. The Prince William Award, the highest individual honour presented at the Tusk Conservation Awards, recognises conservationists whose lifetime commitment has delivered exceptional results—an achievement Kumara’s long career embodies.

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Ethiopia’s Kumara Wakjira Wins 2025 Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa