Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust nominated for global Earthshot Prize

 WWCT and Lanka Environment Fund’s joint project of forest corridors in Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands ensures the long-term viability of the Sri Lankan leopard population – Pic by Yanik Tissera

• Nomination recognises decades-long Sri Lankan leopard conservation efforts

The Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust (WWCT) of Sri Lanka, a leader in research and conservation of the Sri Lankan leopard, has been nominated for the prestigious Earthshot Prize 2024. This global award, launched by Prince William and renowned biologist Sir David Attenborough in 2019, celebrates five visionary initiatives each year that contribute to the restoration and regeneration of our planet.

WWCT’s nomination is a testament to its unwavering commitment to leopard conservation, especially significant as it coincides with the Trust’s 20th anniversary. Over the past two decades, WWCT’s pioneering research and extensive data collection on the Sri Lankan leopard contributed to the species’ classification as ‘globally endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Registered as a Sri Lankan Trust, WWCT operates under a Department of Wildlife Conservation Sri Lanka (DWC) permit and originated from The Leopard Project, initiated in 2000. Today, The Leopard Project remains a key component of WWCT’s broader conservation strategy.

WWCT’s impactful work is supported by the Lanka Environment Fund (LEF), which provides essential grant funding and international support. Since its founding as a non-profit in 2019, LEF has mobilised over $ 1.2 million towards 17 conservation projects across Sri Lanka, including WWCT, significantly bolstering conservation of the country’s fragile ecosystems.

Commenting on WWCT’s Earthshot Prize nomination, LEF Executive Director Vinod Malwatte stated: “It is fantastic to have the work of one of our local organisations recognised on the global stage. This recognition is why LEF strives hard to support the diverse groups passionately dedicated to conserving our fragile ecosystems. WWCT’s project has the potential to link crucial habitats, creating safe havens for wildlife in Sri Lanka’s fragmented Central Highlands.”

Leading the mission at WWCT are founding trustees, Zoologist Dr. Andrew Kittle and Ecologist Anjali Watson. Together, they have dedicated years to conserving the Sri Lankan leopard and have conducted research on a variety of species such as primates, sloths, martens, wolves, lions, and hyenas across ecosystems ranging from Panama’s islands and Costa Rica’s rainforests to Canada’s boreal forests and Tanzania’s Serengeti.

Recently, LEF and WWCT completed a two-year project establishing forest corridors in Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands, which ensures the long-term viability of the leopard population and uses the leopard as an ecological umbrella for broader biodiversity conservation.

LEF has also supported the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society in restoring critical mangrove ecosystems, leading to Sri Lanka being recognised as a ‘UN World Restoration Flagship’ in February 2024. This achievement gained international attention, with Hollywood star Jason Momoa personally congratulating Sri Lanka and highlighting the global importance of the island’s commitment to environmental restoration.

The Earthshot Prize nomination elevates WWCT’s conservation efforts on a global stage, reinforcing its dedication to preserving Sri Lanka’s natural heritage. With this prestigious recognition, WWCT is poised to further its impact, ensuring the survival of the Sri Lankan leopard and safeguarding the island’s biodiversity for future generations.

The Earthshot Prize 2024 awards ceremony is scheduled for 6 November in Cape Town, South Africa.