By Jonathan Ugbal
The Conservator of Park in charge of the Cross River National Park, CRNP, CP Caroline Olory is the maiden winner of the ‘Leadership’ Award presented by the World Female Ranger Awards.
The World Female Ranger Awards gives international recognition to female wildlife rangers who have shown exemplary service and commitment to conservation, say the organizers, the World Female Rangers Week, WFRW on their Facebook page. It was instituted by the Founder of How Many Elephants, Holly Budge.
Mrs. Olory is the first female ranger to rise to the rank of Conservator of Park in the National Park Service in Nigeria and leads the team charged with protecting the Okwangwo and Oban divisions of the Cross River National Park.
Mrs Olory
And, announcing the winners of the World Female Ranger Awards, WFRW said, “The inaugural World Female Ranger ‘Leadership’ Award winner is Caroline Olory, the first female Conservator of Park for the National Park Service in Nigeria.
“Through Caroline’s efforts, alongside her team, she has improved park protection and conservation in Cross River National Park and Old Oyo National Park.
“Caroline has increased the involvement of women in decision-making in communities surrounding the parks and has strengthened park/community relationships with state governments and NGOs. She is a role model to girls in the surrounding communities and schools, piquing their interest in education and conservation.
“Often referred to as the “Iron Lady”, Caroline has delivered talks on the role of women in wildlife conservation to many university students in Nigeria.
“Thank you for recognizing the work we do as female rangers, protecting our biodiversity in Nigeria alongside our male counterparts. It is not easy in the midst of men, many of whom still think the place of women should remain in the kitchen.”
Other Awardees
The inaugural World Female Ranger ‘Resilience’ Award winner is Mariani ‘Bam’ Ramli, Founder and President of the Gibbon Conservation Society, GCS in Malaysia.
The inaugural World Female Ranger ‘Trailblazer’ Award winner is Pera Pinem from the Sumatran Ranger Project in Indonesia. Pera was the only female ranger in North Sumatra (and possibly Indonesia) for three years.
The World Female Ranger Award winner is Grace Kotee Zansi from Liberia. She is a biologist, elephant tracker, and ranger actively involved with Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue, the first and only chimpanzee sanctuary rescuing victims of the illegal bushmeat and pet trades in Liberia.
According to WFRW, Budge explained; “This year we have multiple award categories and are delighted to give recognition to female rangers, plus providing grants sponsored by How Many Elephants. I have seen the tangible impact female rangers are making around the world, protecting wildlife, uplifting communities, and empowering women. I salute all our award winners.”
Budge, who disclosed that she had launched the awards to, “recognize female wildlife rangers for their outstanding commitment to conservation,” further averred that, “with less than 11% of the global wildlife ranger workforce being female, these awards celebrate their impactful contributions to wildlife protection.”
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