Oxford University's first ever Professor of Wildlife Conservation has been nominated for the biennial Indianapolis Prize.
The award is the most prestigious in the conservation world, and honours those who have faced down challenges such as oachers, disease, civil wars, heat, cold, rain, drought, pollution and ignorance.
David Macdonald CBE is one of 29 conservationists in the running for the prize, which comes with a $100,000 award. The scientist used his own research and lobbying to create the first university-based conservation research position, which is based at Lady Margaret Hall.
He also set up the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), part of the university's zoology department, which looks to find practical solutions to conservation problems. A shortlist of six potential winners will be announced in spring next year, with the winner to be announced in mid-2012.
The 2010 Indianapolis Prize was awarded to legendary elephant advocate Iain Douglas-Hamilton, for his work highlighting the problems of poaching and the ivory trade.
“Douglas-Hamilton has set a high bar, but the current nominees are remarkable,” said Michael Crowther, president of the Indianapolis Zoo, which launced the conservation award. “Each conservationist has his or her own unique story and has made significant contributions toward the preservation and awareness of Earth’s precious wildlife.”
