MUNCIE, Ind. - On Tuesday, the recipient of the Indianapolis Zoo’s Emerging Conservationist Award, Mwezi “Badru” Mugerwa, gave a lecture on Ball State University’s campus. From Uganda, he has spent the past 15 years researching and protecting the African Golden Cat.
The cat first made an appearance on Mugerwa’s camera traps – cameras placed in forests to capture animals without human interference – and it was something he had never seen. Conservationists in Africa had almost no knowledge on this species, and yet it was already on the brink of extinction. The townspeople surrounding the habitat of the cat had been unknowingly poaching the cat for decades.
“There is a cultural value and connection of communities and the people living around these areas have with this wildlife, with this species,” Mugerwa added, “Some people, some communities, this is a symbol of status within the communities.”
The prize itself is awarded by the Indianapolis Zoo to "highlight the efforts of these conservationists” and inspire future conservationists. The Emerging Conservationist Award is given to promising conservationists under the age of 40 who dedicate their lives to saving an animal species.
“This has been special. Being recognized for such a prestigious conservation award has been powerful,” Mugerwa said, “You can’t put a price to that because such lectures have given us the opportunity to reach audiences who we would otherwise never reach.”
He was given this award for his revolutionary organization, Embaka, which began research within Africa. It has now grown into the African Golden Cat Conservation Alliance, which has united 19 countries and 46 conservationists.
Mugerwa ended his time with, “Conservation is not a one man’s job, I think it’s every person’s job for everyone. We are always responsible for the planet, for the future of future generations.”
To keep up with Mugerwa’s work on saving the African Golden Cat, Embaka’s website is filled with his story. Visit savingafricangoldencat.com
Contact Arlene Thompson with comments at arlene.thompson@bsu.edu
