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Kenya: Paula Kahumbu Named Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year

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5 years ago

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Nairobi — Wildlife Direct Chief Executive Officer Paula Kahumbu has been recognized as the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year for 2021.

The award recognizes the work that Kahumbu has been pioneering for more than a decade at Wildlife Direct.

The award was announced at the National Geographic Explorers Festival, an ongoing invite-only event hosted by the National Geographic Society.

In a statement, Paula Kahumbu said, “I am truly humbled and grateful to Rolex and the National Geographic Society for naming me the Explorer of the Year today. This is a huge honor that I never dreamed I could attain. As a child, my heroes were people who protected wildlife.”

The Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year Award is given to an individual whose actions, achievements, and spirit push the boundaries of leadership in exploration, and who shows a commitment to share this knowledge with the world.

Through Wildlife Direct, Paula Kahumbu launched the Hands Off Our Elephants Campaign with the First Lady of Kenya, Margaret Kenyatta, which mobilized the citizens, organizations and the Kenya Government to fight for the country’s elephants.

The campaign raised awareness about the seriousness of wildlife crime, and the wanting state of law enforcement, particularly in the courts when handling wildlife traffickers, like the trial of Feisal Mohamed Ali, without effective deterrents.

This led to the review of wildlife legislation, effective handling of wildlife crimes, and training of judicial officers.