Global Humane Opens Prize Applications

Dr. Arnaud Desbiez

(Press Release) PALM BEACH, FL – Today, Global Humane opened applications for the prestigious 2025 Wolfgang Kiessling International Prize, dedicated to protecting and preserving the remarkable animals around the world.
 
The annual Kiessling Prize brings global attention and support to individuals making extraordinary contributions to the field of wildlife conservation. The eponymous award was established in 2022 in honor of Wolfgang F. Kiessling, founder of Loro Parque and Loro Parque Foundation, and a globally recognized leader in the field.

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At a critical time when Earth is in the midst of a sixth mass extinction, and up to 1 million species are at risk of extinction, wildlife conservation is more important than ever.
 
“We are thrilled to begin the search for the next recipient of the Wolfgang Kiessling International Prize for Species Conservation,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of Global Humane. “This award honors inspiring conservationists around the world doing heroic work to protect our planet and its diverse animals.”
 
“The protection and conservation of species is not just a duty, but an urgent mission we must all take on,” said Kiessling. “I am proud to support those individuals who dedicate their lives to this cause, and it’s an honor to see their remarkable efforts being recognized through this award. Together, we can help secure a future for the world’s most endangered animals.”
 
The Kiessling Prize selection committee is led by Dr. Robin Ganzert, Brad Andrews, Christoph Kiessling, Cybell Kiessling, and Dr. Javier Almunia. The committee will review applications and ultimately choose one to receive the top prize and a grant to help further their significant contributions to the practical application, research, and theory of species protection.
 
The committee awarded Dr. Arnaud Desbiez, President and Founder of the Wild Animal Conservation Institute (ICAS) in Brazil, with the 2024 Wolfgang Kiessling International Prize for species conservation.
 
With the support of zoos, ICAS has developed innovative strategies ranging from basic research to complex modeling, citizen science, and certification, while focusing on environmental education, advocacy, and communication.

In 2023, the committee awarded Professor Theo B. Pagel, CEO of the Cologne Zoo in Germany, with the Kiessling Prize, and in 2022, the inaugural Kiessling Prize was awarded to Dr. Jon Paul Rodríguez, Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission.
 
The application period for the 2025 Kiessling Prize will close on May 30, 2025.
 
Applicants can learn more about the prize and submit credentials here.

For more information, visit americanhumane.org.