{"id":272634,"date":"2025-09-24T10:07:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T14:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/english-renowned-madagascar-conservationist-to-be-recognized-at-2025-indianapolis-prize-gala\/"},"modified":"2025-09-24T10:20:02","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T14:20:02","slug":"el-renombrado-conservacionista-de-madagascar-sera-reconocido-en-la-gala-del-premio-indianapolis-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/el-renombrado-conservacionista-de-madagascar-sera-reconocido-en-la-gala-del-premio-indianapolis-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Renowned Madagascar Conservationist to be Recognized at 2025 Indianapolis Prize Gala"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\"><![CDATA[\n\/* Style Definitions *\/\nspan.prnews_span\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\na.prnews_a\n{\ncolor:blue;\n}\nli.prnews_li\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\np.prnews_p\n{\nfont-size:0.62em;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\nmargin:0in;\n}\n]]><\/style>\n<div class=\"xn-content\">\n<p><span class=\"legendSpanClass\"><span class=\"xn-location\">INDIANAPOLIS<\/span><\/span>, <span class=\"legendSpanClass\"><span class=\"xn-chron\">Sept. 24, 2025<\/span><\/span> \/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE\/ &#8212; On <span class=\"xn-chron\">September 27<\/span>, the Indianapolis Zoo will celebrate the work of 2025 Indianapolis Prize Winner Dr. Lily-Arison Ren\u00e9 de Roland at a gala in downtown <span class=\"xn-location\">Indianapolis<\/span>. The world&#8217;s leading award for animal conservation, the Indianapolis Prize is awarded by the Indianapolis Zoo every two years. Dr. Ren\u00e9 de Roland is being recognized for his groundbreaking work in his native <span class=\"xn-location\">Madagascar<\/span> where his discoveries have revolutionized biodiversity efforts and have created a new model for community-led species protection in one of Earth&#8217;s most threatened ecosystems.<\/p>\n<div id=\"prni_dvprnejpg6a65left\" dir=\"ltr\" style=\"width: 100%; text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"prnejpg6a65left\" title=\"Renowned Madagascar conservationist Lily-Arison Ren\u00e9 de Roland, Ph.D., is the 2025 Indianapolis Prize Winner. Photo by Matt Mays.\" src=\"https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/2777724\/Indianapolis_Zoo_awards_Lily_Arison_Rene_de_Roland.jpg\" alt=\"Renowned Madagascar conservationist Lily-Arison Ren\u00e9 de Roland, Ph.D., is the 2025 Indianapolis Prize Winner. Photo by Matt Mays.\" align=\"middle\"\/><\/div>\n<p>This year&#8217;s celebration also <span class=\"xn-money\">marks 20<\/span> years of the Indianapolis Prize. A global conservation initiative of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4513881-1&amp;h=2337266292&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indianapoliszoo.com%2F&amp;a=Indianapolis+Zoo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Indianapolis Zoo<\/a>, the Indianapolis Prize has awarded more than <span class=\"xn-money\">$7.5 million<\/span> to conservationists across the globe to support the protection of wildlife.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Dr. Ren\u00e9 de Roland exemplifies what we&#8217;ve learned after two decades of the Indianapolis Prize, that lasting conservation comes from local leadership and community partnership.\u00a0 We are proud to honor his significant achievements,&#8221; said Dr. <span class=\"xn-person\">Rob Shumaker<\/span>, President &amp; CEO of the Indianapolis Zoo.<\/p>\n<p>In 2006, Dr. Ren\u00e9 de Roland&#8217;s team rediscovered the <span class=\"xn-location\">Madagascar<\/span> pochard, a duck species thought to be extinct for 40 years, during an expedition to the remote wetlands of northern <span class=\"xn-location\">Madagascar<\/span>. The find proved some of <span class=\"xn-location\">Madagascar&#8217;s<\/span> &#8220;lost&#8221; species could still be saved. As National Director of <a href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4513881-1&amp;h=858388115&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fperegrinefund.org%2Fmadagascar-program&amp;a=The+Peregrine+Fund%27s+Madagascar+Program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">The Peregrine Fund&#8217;s Madagascar Program<\/a>, Dr. Ren\u00e9 de Roland leads a team of Malagasy conservationists and has established five national protected areas encompassing more than 1,500 square miles of critical habitat. He also has mentored hundreds of Malagasy conservationists, who have earned 90 master&#8217;s degrees and 16 doctoral degrees.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;My work is inspired by my pride for my country&#8217;s biodiversity and my love for its wonderful people,&#8221; Dr. Ren\u00e9 de Roland said. &#8220;I am grateful to work alongside so many dedicated Malagasy people who care deeply about protecting our home.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Ren\u00e9 de Roland was selected from six DeHaan Finalists representing conservation efforts across four continents: <span class=\"xn-person\">Alberto Alves Campos<\/span> (Aquasis); <span class=\"xn-person\">Lisa Dabek<\/span>, Ph.D. (Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program); <span class=\"xn-person\">Julie E. Packard<\/span> (Monterey Bay Aquarium); <span class=\"xn-person\">Lee James Taylor White<\/span>, Ph.D. (Research Institute for Tropical Ecology); and Birut\u00e9 <span class=\"xn-person\">Mary Galdikas<\/span>, Ph.D. (Orangutan Foundation International). The winner of the Indianapolis Prize receives <span class=\"xn-money\">$250,000<\/span> and each DeHaan Finalist receives <span class=\"xn-money\">$50,000<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><b>2025 Emerging Conservationist<\/b><br \/>Also recognized at the Gala will be the <a href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4513881-1&amp;h=762060051&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indianapoliszoo.com%2Fprize%2Fawards%2Femerging-conservationists%2F&amp;a=2025+Indianapolis+Prize+Emerging+Conservationist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">2025 Indianapolis Prize Emerging Conservationist<\/a>, Ugandan researcher Mwezi &#8220;Badru&#8221; Mugerwa. Mugerwa is the second recipient of the Emerging Conservationist Award\u2014an honor given to an individual age 40 or under who is working to save a species or group of species. Mugerwa was recognized for pioneering an innovative, community-based approach to protecting the elusive African golden cat, one of <span class=\"xn-location\">Africa&#8217;s<\/span> least-known species.<\/p>\n<p>Mugerwa&#8217;s organization, <a href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4513881-1&amp;h=1952750053&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.savingafricangoldencat.com%2F&amp;a=Embaka\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Embaka<\/a>, has registered more than 2,200 community members in conservation programs that address local needs\u2014from healthcare to livestock\u2014in exchange for anti-poaching commitments. This program has expanded to 19 African countries through the African Golden Cat Conservation Alliance.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Once you&#8217;re in the communities and you understand the problem, the solutions become clear,&#8221; Mugerwa said. &#8220;Having a national park in your backyard shouldn&#8217;t be a burden\u2014it&#8217;s an opportunity.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Award-winning journalist and previous Indianapolis Prize Gala host <span class=\"xn-person\">Anne Thompson<\/span> will host this year&#8217;s event, along with conservationist and TV producer Saba Douglas-Hamilton. <span class=\"xn-person\">Josh Kaufman<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-location\">Indianapolis<\/span> native and winner of Season 6 of NBC&#8217;s &#8220;The Voice,&#8221; will perform. The event is presented by Cummins Inc.<\/p>\n<p><b>About the Indianapolis Prize<\/b><\/p>\n<p><i>The Indianapolis Prize recognizes and rewards conservationists who have achieved major victories in advancing the sustainability of an animal species or group of species. The Emerging Conservationist Award, a new accolade in 2023, is given to a conservationist aged 40 or younger. Since 2004, the Indianapolis Prize has awarded more than <span class=\"xn-money\">$7.5 million<\/span> in unrestricted cash awards, advancing the work of conservation scientists through financial support and public awareness. The Indianapolis Prize is a conservation initiative of the Indianapolis Zoo. <\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>Connect with the Prize on <u><a href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4513881-1&amp;h=3801290028&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FIndianapolisPrize%2F&amp;a=Facebook\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Facebook<\/a><\/u>, <u><a href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4513881-1&amp;h=152081699&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FIndyPrize&amp;a=X\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">X<\/a><\/u>, <u><a href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4513881-1&amp;h=3568639677&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Findianapolisprize%2F&amp;a=Instagram\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Instagram<\/a><\/u> and <u><a href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4513881-1&amp;h=2452312015&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indianapoliszoo.com%2Fprize%2F&amp;a=indianapolisprize.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">indianapolisprize.org<\/a><\/u>.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><b>Media Contacts<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"xn-person\">David Hosick<\/span><br \/>Indianapolis Zoo, Director of Public Relations<br \/>317-410-5992<br \/><a href=\"mailto:dhosick@indyzoo.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">dhosick@indyzoo.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"xn-person\">Camille Pipino<\/span><br \/>VOX Global<br \/>614-588-6488<br \/><a href=\"mailto:cpipino@omc.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">cpipino@omc.com<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"prni_dvprnejpg37cbleft\" dir=\"ltr\" style=\"width: 100%; text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"prnejpg37cbleft\" title=\"Mwezi &quot;Badru&quot; Mugerwa is the 2025 Indianapolis Prize Emerging Conservationist. Photo by Matt Mays.\" src=\"https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/2777725\/Indianapolis_Zoo_awards_Mwezi_Badru_Mugerwa.jpg\" alt=\"Mwezi &quot;Badru&quot; Mugerwa is the 2025 Indianapolis Prize Emerging Conservationist. Photo by Matt Mays.\" align=\"middle\"\/><\/div>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div id=\"prni_dvprnejpg569fleft\" dir=\"ltr\" style=\"width: 100%; text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"prnejpg569fleft\" title=\"The Indianapolis Prize recognizes and rewards conservationists who have achieved major victories in advancing the sustainability of an animal species or group of species. Since 2006, the Indianapolis Prize has awarded more than $7 million in unrestricted cash awards, advancing the work of conservation scientists through financial support and public awareness. The Indianapolis Prize is a signature conservation initiative of the Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.\" src=\"https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/2608197\/IndyPrizeLogo_SMLnotext_Logo.jpg\" alt=\"The Indianapolis Prize recognizes and rewards conservationists who have achieved major victories in advancing the sustainability of an animal species or group of species. Since 2006, the Indianapolis Prize has awarded more than $7 million in unrestricted cash awards, advancing the work of conservation scientists through financial support and public awareness. The Indianapolis Prize is a signature conservation initiative of the Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.\" align=\"middle\"\/><\/div>\n<p>Photo &#8211;\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4513881-1&amp;h=1705817837&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F2777724%2FIndianapolis_Zoo_awards_Lily_Arison_Rene_de_Roland.jpg&amp;a=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F2777724%2FIndianapolis_Zoo_awards_Lily_Arison_Rene_de_Roland.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/2777724\/Indianapolis_Zoo_awards_Lily_Arison_Rene_de_Roland.jpg<\/a><br \/>Photo &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4513881-1&amp;h=2906389693&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F2777725%2FIndianapolis_Zoo_awards_Mwezi_Badru_Mugerwa.jpg&amp;a=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F2777725%2FIndianapolis_Zoo_awards_Mwezi_Badru_Mugerwa.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/2777725\/Indianapolis_Zoo_awards_Mwezi_Badru_Mugerwa.jpg<\/a><br \/>Logo &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4513881-1&amp;h=533362048&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F2608197%2FIndyPrizeLogo_SMLnotext_Logo.jpg&amp;a=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F2608197%2FIndyPrizeLogo_SMLnotext_Logo.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/2608197\/IndyPrizeLogo_SMLnotext_Logo.jpg<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>SOURCE  Indianapolis Zoo<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"xn-content\">\n<p><span class=\"legendSpanClass\"><span class=\"xn-location\">INDIANAPOLIS<\/span><\/span>, <span class=\"legendSpanClass\"><span class=\"xn-chron\">Sept. 24, 2025<\/span><\/span> \/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE\/ &#8212; On <span class=\"xn-chron\">September 27<\/span>, the Indianapolis Zoo will celebrate the work of 2025 Indianapolis Prize Winner Dr. Lily-Arison Ren\u00e9 de Roland at a gala in downtown <span class=\"xn-location\">Indianapolis<\/span>. The world&#8217;s leading award for animal conservation, the Indianapolis Prize is awarded by the Indianapolis Zoo every two years. Dr. Ren\u00e9 de&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":272636,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-272634","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interes-humano"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/272634","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=272634"}],"version-history":[{"count":"1","href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/272634\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":272638,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/272634\/revisions\/272638"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/272636"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=272634"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=272634"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=272634"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}