African Wildlife & Environment Issue 84 2023

FAUNA, FLORA & WILDLIFE

THE GOSCARS 2023 – GRASSROOTS OWEN-SMITH CONSERVATION AWARDS At the awards ceremony held in Windhoek, Namibia on 21 April 2023, five winners and five honourable mentions were chosen by the adjudication panel. Each recipient exemplifies what the awards – celebrating the life and work of community-based conservation pioneer, Garth Owen-Smith – stand for.

The awards are made to candidates for excelling in the following criteria:

Photo: Dr John Ledger

Development of field implementation of local skills and knowledge; plus long-term dedication and commitment: organisations and individuals addressing the challenges of community-based conservation to protect and better manage wildlife and other natural resources for the benefit of community members now and in the future. The GOSCARs are presented annually to top-performing Namibian community-based organisations, conservancy game guards, conservancy lion or rhino rangers, fish guards or community resource monitors. The awards are made possible by generous contributions from friends and colleagues to the Owen-Smith Memorial Fund, which is managed by the Namibian Chamber of Environment at no cost. The Winners

Lirumba Fabianus Mahongo Senior Resource Monitor, Muduva Nyangana Conservancy and Community Forest, Kavango East Region. The conservation and anti-poaching efforts by Lirumba and his team has resulted in remarkable increase in the wildlife diversity in their areas. Sobbe Conservancy, Zambezi Region Founded in 2006, this Conservancy is one of the most important in Namibia. Only 404 km 2 in extent and run by a dedicated team of men and women, it comprises a critical transfrontier elephant corridor and biodiversity sanctuary.

Abraham Sakaria Volunteer Conservancy Gane Guard, Okongo Conservancy, Obangwena Region. Highly motivated and self-disciplined, Abraham plays a critical role in combatting wildlife crime, as well as managing and mitigating human wildlife conflict. Gustaph Tjimuhiva Senior Conservancy Game Guard, Uukwaluudhi Conservancy, Omusati Region. One of the legends of community based wildlife conservation, Gustaph has been active in the field since 1992. Maleskia Harases Conservancy Rhino Ranger, ‡Khoadi-/// Kôas Conservancy, Kunene Region. Maleskia is known for her bravery and commitment. Since joining the programme she has clocked 2,706 foot/km to protect ‘her’ rhinos, and not a single one has been poached on her watch.

33 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 84 (2023)