Prince William conservation organization announces honorees for Tusk Wildlife Gala 2017

Tusk, whose mission is to work with local communities to protect African wildlife, will honor renowned paleoanthropologist, conservationist and Kenyan politician, Richard Leakey with the 2017 Tusk Legacy Award. Leakey initially gained fame for the discovery of the 1.6-million- year-old skeleton of a homo erectus youth. As the first Chairman of Kenya Wildlife Service, he reorganized Kenya's national park systems and dramatically reduced poaching levels. Leakey continues to tirelessly campaign against the slaughter of African wildlife.

This year's Game Changer Award will be given to Richard Ladkani and Kief Davidson in recognition of their Oscar shortlisted Netflix film The Ivory Game.  From executive producer Leonardo DiCaprio, The Ivory Game is an epic documentary that goes undercover into the dark and sinister world of ivory trafficking. The directors filmed for 16 months in China, Vietnam, the U.K. and Africa to infiltrate the corrupt global network of ivory trafficking. The film, which premiered at the Telluride and Toronto film festivals in September and globally launched on Netflix in early November, makes a compelling case that the only way to save Africa's elephants is to completely ban the ivory trade in China.  In fact, Jane Goodall congratulated the directors for their courageous work and said she believed the film "may have influenced the timing" of China's recent announcement that they would shut down their legal commercial ivory trade by the end of 2017.

David Yarrow, Europe's best selling wildlife photographer, and long-term partner of Tusk, will join the dinner as a featured guest. Yarrow has built an unrivalled reputation for capturing the beauty of the planet's remote landscapes, cultures and endangered animals. His most recent book 'Wild Encounters', was named '2016 art book of the year' by Amazon.

Executive Director, Ellen C. O'Connell

Tusk USA is a 501(c)(3) registered charity whose headquarters are in New York City.

Tusk Wildlife Gala 2017:  www.tuskwildlifegala.com 
The Ivory Game Movie: www.theivorygame.com 
David Yarrow Photography:  www.davidyarrow.photography 
Media Contact:  Ellen C. O'Connell 646-321-3995

Tusk USA
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Tel: 212-602-1588

SOURCE Tusk USA