In a remote wilderness in Samburu County, Kenyan wildlife biologist Dr Shivani Bhalla has championed community-driven lion conservation for more than 15 years. In April 2023, Dr Bhalla and Ewaso Lions, the organisation she founded, won the prestigious Whitley Gold Award known as the ‘Green Oscars’ in conservation circles. She is only the third African woman to win the prize in 30 years.
The UK-based Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) wildlife charity supports conservation leaders in the global south finding local solutions to environmental problems. The annual Whitley Gold is the most significant of seven award categories and has a cash prize of £100,000 (Sh1.84 million).
