Indianapolis Prize
The world's leading award for animal conservation. 🏆 Celebrating heroes fighting extinction & inspiring sustainable change. Signature conservation initiative of the Indianapolis Zoo. 🌎
IndianapolisPrize.org
- Jaguars are bouncing back! 🐆 From 64k in 2018 to 100k+ today, rewilding & local partnerships are making the difference. Prize DeHaan Finalist Gerardo Ceballos says it all: Communities with resources become conservation's greatest ally ➡️ bit.ly/4qSxJMy
- WSJ highlights 3 Prize Honorees & their remarkable wildlife books. 📚 🌿 Dr. Douglas-Hamilton on elephants 🐘 Dr. Schaller on African predators 🦁 Dr. Galdikas on orangutans 🦧 Decades of conservation fieldwork in their own words.
- Good news! North Atlantic right whale population hit 384 in 2024 – 4th year of growth! 🐳 ✨Still critically low, but it proves conservation works. Zero deaths in 2025 so far.
- Happy #InternationalSnowLeopardDay! 🐆 ❄️ Fewer than 7,000 of these ghost cats remain in the wild. We honor conservationists like Dr. Rodney who dedicate their careers to their protection. 🔗 Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/3KW9X1M
- Happy Reptile & Amphibian Awareness Day! 🐍 🐢 2018 Prize Winner Dr. Russ Mittermeier has spent decades protecting biodiversity hotspots – critical habitats for countless reptile & amphibian species worldwide. His leadership shows us what's possible when we fight for nature.
- For centuries, elephants crossed northern Kenya following ancient routes. Now roads, railways & fences are blocking their way. But communities are fighting back – working with conservationists to mark 200+ wildlife corridors & preserve pathways for migrating elephants. bit.ly/4qBYNj9
- An unforgettable moment. ✨ At this year's Gala, we presented Jane Alexander with the sculpture for the award bearing her name, completing a recognition that began in 2012. Thank you for championing wildlife alongside us. 🌏 🌿
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- 13 Aldabra Giant Tortoise hatchlings mark the first successful artificial incubation in Seychelles! 🐢 Scientists discovered that wild nest failures were due to environmental factors – not infertility. This new technique could also help other threatened reptiles worldwide. bit.ly/43md0q5
- ‼️REMINDER: 2027 Indianapolis Prize Award Entries 🏆 2027 Indy Prize Nominations 🌟 2027 Emerging Conservationists 📅Both close: Feb. 27, 20267 🔗Nominate or apply: bit.ly/46Sajxr
- First lioness photographed in 6 years in the Central African Republic's Bamingui-Bangoran National Park! This is what conservation success looks like. With only ~750 northern lions left, every lion counts. bit.ly/4mPiNvq
- What a night! 🌏 🏆 Huge thanks to everyone who celebrated conservation excellence with us at the Indy Prize Gala. Your support drives real change for wildlife worldwide. ✨
- On #WorldGorillaDay, we celebrate DeHaan Finalist Dr. Gladys! This Ugandan vet pioneered the One Health approach to mountain gorilla conservation – connecting human health with wildlife protection. With <1,100 mountain gorillas left, her community-centered work is saving a species.
- Indy Prize Week starts now! 🌏 ✨ From university lectures to our black-tie Gala on Saturday – join us in honoring those fighting to save species on the brink. 🔗Click the link for more info -> bit.ly/3VUwxKa
- Conservation heroes coming to Indiana universities! 🌏 ✨ Prize Winner Dr. Lily and Emerging Conservationist Badru Mugerewa share their inspiring work saving species from extinction. 🔗 Click for more details ➡️ bit.ly/3VUwxKa
- "Through them, I see a safer world for cranes and people. We must invest in the conservation leaders of tomorrow." ✨ Dr. George Archibald's timeless wisdom reminds us that collaboration and mentorship are key to conservation success. 🌏
- 🔬Breakthrough: AI satellite surveys reveal Serengeti wildebeest numbers may be half what we thought – fewer than 600k via 1.3M estimated since the 1970s. Oxford researchers used deep learning to count every animal across 4K square km from space.
- Meet a Hero | Sept. 27, 10am ✨ Meet world-renowned conservation scientists & researchers saving endangered species across the globe! 📍Indy Zoo, Dolphin Pavilion 🎟️ Free for members | included in reg. admission
- ✨SPECIES SPOTLIGHT: Madagascar Pochard 🦆 The world's rarest duck! Once thought extinct, Prize Winner Dr. Lily & his team rediscovered in 2006. From 22 birds to successful reintroduction - this is what conservation success looks like!
- Join us for the Michael I. Crowther Conservation Forum at the Indy Art Center—an inspiring discussion on wildlife conservation & how our champions are making a difference. 🌏 💫 🔗 Click the link for more info: bit.ly/460Cewb
- DeHaan Finalist Dr. Gerardo Ceballos's leadership of Mexico's National Alliance for Jaguar Conservation has delivered extraordinary results: 📈 30% pop. increase 🔢 From ~4,000 to 5,326 magnificent cats 🌟 Global model for big cat conservation 🤝Innovative community partnerships bit.ly/4610s84
- It's #NationalWildlifeDay! From saving sea turtles to protecting big cats, the Prize champions are the real-life superheroes working to preserve biodiversity for future generations. Every creature, no matter how small, plays a vital role in our planet's delicate ecosystem. 🌏 🦁 🦧
- Hear from 2025 Prize Winner, Dr. Lily, on what this prestigious honor means to him. ‼️Reminder: 2027 Indy Prize Entries are open until Feb. 26 ➡️ bit.ly/4n6AkR3
- #InternationalPrimateDay reminds us that our closest relatives need our strongest defenders. 🐵 The Prize celebrates conservation heroes who turn the tide for endangered primates worldwide. From mountain gorillas to lemurs, every species saved is a victory for our planet's future.
- 🌏"True conservation success must include people as a primary factor." – Dr. Rob Shumaker For 20 years, the Prize has empowered communities, enlightened minds, and engaged hearts in the fight for our planet. The impact? A global movement proving that people are the solution.
- 30 days. 6 DeHaan Finalists. 1 incredible night. The Indianapolis Prize Gala celebrates those who dedicate their lives to saving species. Conservation's biggest night is almost here! 🎟️ Tickets -> bit.ly/4kxqSDZ
- Sniffer dogs Yagi & Quinn just found what may be a "lost" population of Sumatran rhinos! After years of searching found nothing; these conservation dogs made the discovery in just 2 days. With <50 Sumatran rhinos left globally, this could be huge for the species. bit.ly/4mYdjPq
- "Gardeners of the forest" with 97% human DNA, master tool users and brilliant architects – orangutans are extraordinary! World Orangutan Day celebrates these amazing apes & champions like DeHaan Finalist Dr. Biruté Galdikas who've dedicated their lives to protecting them. 🦧 🌳
- New study: AI + citizen photos revealed whale sharks live across the Atlantic in places we never knew! Scientists used 30 years of sightings to map these gentle giants. Citizen science is revolutionizing conservation.
- #WorldElephantDay honors the conservationists fighting for these magnificent giants. 🐘 ✨ The Prize celebrates heroes like 2008 Winner Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton, whose groundbreaking research transformed elephant conservation.
- Fireflies are lighting up summer skies across the U.S.! 💡 After years of decline, increased sightings give hope that conservation efforts are working. Turn lights off, preserve habitats and watch nature glow back to life.
- Celebrating the kings of the savanna on #WorldLionDay! 🦁 These big cats face serious threats, but thanks to conservation champions like 2008 Prize Winner George Schaller, we're working to protect their future.
- Meet Africa's most elusive feline – the African golden cat. Twice the size of a house cat, gorgeous golden coat, forest phantom & nearly extinct from poaching. Badru's camera traps changed everything. Now, 2,225+ locals protect these golden beauties. 💫 #InternationalCatDay
- What is the Indianapolis Prize Gala? 🌎🏆 It's not just a night out – it's a night for the planet. On Sept. 27, we honor the world's greatest conservationists. Expect elegance. Expect impact. 🎟️ Reserve your tickets ➡️ bit.ly/4kxqSDZ
- Join an incredible network of organizations supporting critical research that pulls endangered species back from extinction. 🌿🏆 Learn more about sponsorship opportunities and become a conservation champion ➡️ bit.ly/4mgSX3E
- Dr. Carl Jones, 2016 Prize Winner and Species Resurrector ✨ When he arrived in Mauritius, 4 kestrels left Today? 400+ thriving birds 🐦 His innovative techniques brought 4 species back from extinction and revolutionized island conservation worldwide.
- Reposted by Indianapolis PrizeCongress participants include @indianapolisprize.bsky.social Winners Drs Russ Mittermeier and Pat Wright, plus Emerging Conservationist Fanny Cornejo. Learn more about primate conservation from the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group. www.primate-sg.org 3/3
- #WildlifeWednesday: African Forest Elephants 🌳🐘 African forest elephants: rainforest architects down 75% in one decade. These giants live 70+ years, disperse seeds across miles & show incredible emotional intelligence. DeHaan Finalist Dr. Lee White fights for their survival in Central Africa.
- Global study of 13k marine animals reveals only 5% of their key habitats are protected – despite these areas being critical ocean hotspots. 🌊 From whale migration corridors to turtle nesting routes, our oceans have invisible highways that desperately need protection. ✨
- 2025 Prize Winner Dr. Lily René de Roland was awarded "Commander" of Madagascar's National Order – their highest honor! 🎖️ From student -> Indianapolis Prize Winner -> Conservation Knight. This is the power of 30 years of dedicated conservation. 👏 @theperegrinefund.bsky.social
- Sea ice is to the ocean what soil is to the forest - essential for life. 🧊 2012 Prize Winner Dr. Steve Amstrup's polar bear research has revealed how sea ice loss threatens entire Arctic ecosystems.
- Today is #WorldChimpanzeeDay! We celebrate the work of the late Dr. Christophe Boesch, whose research in West Africa revolutionized how we understand & protect chimpanzees. His approach to conservation empowered local communities & created impactful changes for these remarkable primates.
- From pioneering biodiversity hotspots to protecting millions of acres of critical habitat, 2018 Prize Winner Dr. Russ Mittermeier has spent years making conservation happen. 🌱✨ He shares his incredible journey & passion for protecting Earth's biodiversity.
- The world's largest award for animal conservation. One unforgettable gala. Join global leaders celebrating those who risk everything to save endangered species. Indy Prize Gala tickets now available -> bit.ly/4kxqSDZ
- Ready to start birding? This accessible hobby transforms how you see nature – and makes you a conservation hero. Start simple: 🌿Use free apps like eBird 🌿Begin in your backyard 🌿Join local birding groups
- "Embaka" = golden cat in Rukiga language 🐱 Our 2025 Emerging Conservationist Winner, Badru Mugerwa's organization, is the first community-based anti-poaching project for African golden cat.
- "Through history, we've learned that if people think there is nothing they can do, they will do nothing." - Dr. Steve Amstrup, 2012 Prize Winner & polar bear conservation hero. The man who helped save polar bears reminds us: hope + actions = change. ✨ #WisdomWednesday
- The Pantanal's ecological balance is breaking down. As fires destroy natural prey, jaguars venture into human areas - 21 families live in constant fear and one recent death calls for an urgent need for balanced conservation. bit.ly/4lhW0rA
- ✨20 years honoring conservation heroes! The Indianapolis Prize celebrates those saving our planet's most vulnerable species with the world's largest individual animal conservation award: $250,000 🏆 📆 2025 Gala: Sept. 27, 2025 📣 2027 Nominations: Open @ Indianapolisprize.org
- US Fish & Wildlife Service proposes ESA protections for 7 pangolin species facing extinction from trafficking & habitat loss. Public comment on the proposal is now open and runs until Aug. 18, 2025.
- 📢APPLICATIONS OPEN: Calling conservation leaders under 40! The 2027 Emerging Conservationist Award recognizes the next generation driving meaningful change in wildlife protection. 📅Deadline: Feb. 27, 2026 🔗Submit Applications: bit.ly/3Frj9Jb
- 📢NOMINATION OPEN: The world's leading award for animal conservation is now accepting nominations for the 2027 Indianapolis Prize. Nominate visionaries making an impact on animal species. 🏆🌿 📅Deadline: Feb. 27, 2026 🔗Nominate: bit.ly/3HuRW8T
