In the wake of the death ofCecil the lion, committed conservationist Prince William is doing his part toprevent unnecessary hunting in Africa by awarding a Kenyan ranger for hisefforts against poachers. The royal announced that Edward Ndiritu, Head of theAnti-Poaching Unit for the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, is the firstwinner of the Wildlife Ranger Award on behalf of William's conservationcharity, Tusk Trust.
"May I take theopportunity to personally congratulate you on this richly deserved award and tothank you for the extraordinary contribution you and your team at the LewaWildlife Conservancy have made towards both the protection of wildlife andincreased security for the rural communities of northern Kenya," Williamsaid in a letter released on World Ranger Day, July 31.
A proud Edward, who will travel to London inNovember to receive the award, posed for a picture with the letter after theorganization said he was chosen for his "outstanding leadership andcommitment in face of the escalating threat from poachers." The 42-year-oldranger covers a large conservation area of Kenya run by the Lewa WildlifeConservancy and the Northern Rangelands Trust where there has been a decline inthe number of rhino and elephants that have been poached in the region.
The cause is one that's closeto William's heart as he's been a patron of the Tusk Trust since 2005 and has aspecial personal bond with the continent. The 33-year-old not only proposed towife Kate Middleton there, but also has decorated his son Prince George'snursery in an African theme. "Africa is my second home," William said infootage filmed for a Sky1 documentary in 2010. "When I step off the plane I'm like, 'Yes, I'm back.'"
A love of Africa runs in thefamily. Prince Harry arrived in Namibia last month to help fight againstthreats to endangered species, William's sister-in-law PIppa Middleton just ran a marathon in Kenya to support the cause, and both William's father and grandfather havesupported the Tusk Trust.