NOMINATIONS OPEN TO CELEBRATE RHINO SAVING EFFORTS Nominations have officially opened for the annual Rhino Conservation Awards that celebrate our rhino conservation heroes.

The heroic actions of those that fight for the conservation of the rhino were recently acknowledged, celebrated and rewarded at the Rhino Conservation Awards. The gala-dinner Awards ceremony was held on the 27th of July at the Montecasino Ballroom and was well attended. His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, Patron of the Awards, delivered the keynote address at the event, congratulated the winners for their exemplary efforts and was presented with the Grand Patron Award.

Nominations have now opened for the Rhino Conservation Awards 2015. Nominations are invited from all African rhino range states, in categories including; Best Field Ranger, Best Conservation Practitioner, Best Political and Judicial Support, Best Science Research and Technology, and Best Awareness, Education or Funding. The additional Special Youths category honours youngsters that have taken action against poaching.

According to a recent article written by photojournalist, Scott Ramsay, rhino poaching in South Africa is at record levels, with more than 1 215 having been killed in 2014. The game rangers are the soldiers on the frontlines in this war against the desecration of a species, putting their lives and that of their families on the line for nature conservation.

Since 2012 the annual Rhino Conservation Awards have served to recognise theremarkable individuals and organisationsthat protect Africa’s rhino population. This year, Carl Zeiss Sports Optics GmbHof the ZEISS Group has undertaken to sponsor the Awards.