On Monday night the Species Survival Network (SSN), a global coalition of 82 organizations working on wildlife trade issues under CITES, held its Reception to honor the recipients of the 2010 Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Awards. These awards, named for the pioneering Chief of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of Law Enforcement, recognize outstanding achievements “on the ground” protecting wildlife.
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While I am CEO of Born Free USA, I am also President of the SSN. In that capacity, I had the privilege of participating in the awards ceremony along side the Secretary-General of CITES, Willem Wijnstekers. It was such an honor to share the same stage as these deserving wildlife champions! I know you can’t be here in Doha with us, so I had our presentations recorded for you to watch. Have a look.
These awards are an important way of honoring the heroic efforts of wildlife law enforcement officers who often put their lives in jeopardy to protect wildlife and uphold the rule of law.
Honorees this year included representatives from Israel, India, the United States, Denmark, Kenya, China, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines.
Wildlife law enforcement is the front-line. It’s a dangerous, sometimes deadly place. Sadly, all-too-often the sacrifice made by law enforcement officers goes unrecognized. Not on Monday night!
Wherever you are, raise a glass as we did to toast the evening’s awardees’ achievements.
Blogging off,
Will