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2008 Indianapolis Prize Finalists Named |
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, Dec. 4 -/E-Wire/-- The six finalists for the Indianapolis Prize have been selected and include: Iain Douglas-Hamilton, Rodney Jackson, K. Ullas Karanth, Laurie Marker, Roger Payne, and George Schaller. Nominated by their peers, these heroes of animal conservation were chosen for their outstanding achievements on behalf of endangered species across the globe.
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"The Indianapolis Prize recognizes animal conservationists who have committed their lives to ensuring the survival of some of our planet's most marvelous creatures," said Michael Crowther, CEO of the Indianapolis Zoo, the organization that initiated the animal conservation award. "These are people who are accomplishing real conservation victories."
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The Prize Jury will determine the winner for the 2008 Indianapolis Prize, who will receive $100,000 and the Lilly Medal at the Indianapolis Prize Gala presented by AES, held September 27, 2008, in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Prize was first awarded in 2006 to Dr. George Archibald, co-founder of the International Crane Foundation.
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Iain Douglas-Hamilton, Ph.D.: (Save the Elephants)
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As president of Save the Elephants, Douglas-Hamilton's pioneering study of the social behavior of wild elephants four decades ago in Tanzania formed the basis for all subsequent studies.
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Rodney Jackson, Ph.D.: (Snow Leopard Conservancy)
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Jackson, director/founder of the Snow Leopard Conservancy, did groundbreaking radio-tracking studies of snow leopards and is dedicated to making native peoples into key players in leopard conservation.
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K. Ullas Karanth, Ph.D.: (Wildlife Conservation Society)
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Senior World Conservation Society conservation scientist and premier tiger expert, Karanth has championed the cause of tigers through his groundbreaking work in India, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
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Laurie Marker, Ph.D.: (Cheetah Conservation Fund)
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Marker, founder/executive director of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, has led a conservation program from humble beginnings in rural Namibia to an unparalleled model for predator conservation.
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Roger Payne, Ph.D.: (The Ocean Alliance)
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Founder of The Ocean Alliance, Payne has devoted more than 40 years to the study and protection of whales. His whale song recordings helped launch the "save the whales" movement.
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George Schaller, Ph.D.: (Wildlife Conservation Society)
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George Schaller, Ph.D., the world's preeminent field biologist, has traveled across the globe to work with a variety of species and has inspired generations of scientists.
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Prize Honorary Co-Chairs include: actor Harrison Ford actress Jane Alexander Senator Richard G. Lugar conservation supporter Roger Sant, AES Corporation founder author Carl Hiaasen philanthropists Christel DeHaan and Bren Simon, and Sidney Taurel, chairman and chief executive officer, Eli Lilly and Company.
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Prize Jury members include Dr. William Conway, senior conservationist, Wildlife Conservation Society Dr. Tracy Dobson, professor of fisheries and wildlife services, University of Michigan Julie Packard, executive director and vice chairman, Monterey Bay Aquarium Dr. Stuart Pimm, the Doris Duke professor of conservation ecology in the environmental sciences and policy division, Duke University Dr. Mark Stanley Price, chief executive, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Dr. Steven Paul, executive vice president for science and technology, Eli Lilly and Company and president of Lilly Research Laboratories Paul Grayson, deputy director and senior vice president of conservation and science, Indianapolis Zoo and Myrta Pulliam, director of special projects, Indianapolis Star, past chair of the Board of Trustees, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc., and chair of the Indianapolis Prize.
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To learn more about the Indianapolis Prize, please visit indianapolisprize.org.
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The Indianapolis Prize was initiated by the Indianapolis Zoo as a significant component of its mission to inspire local and global communities to celebrate, protect, and preserve our natural world through conservation, education and research. This biennial award brings the world's attention to the cause of animal conservation and the brave, talented and dedicated men and women who spend their lives saving the Earth's endangered animal species. Contact Info:
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Linda Jackson
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Account Manager
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Borshoff
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Tel : 317-631-6400
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E-mail: Linda.Jackson@Borshoff.biz Website : the Indianapolis Zoo
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