This award is recognition of his outstanding contribution to wildlife research, capacity building and practice in southern Africa. Highlighted in the award citation was his conceptualization of the Greater Addo Elephant National Park, which lead to the growth of the park from 12 000 ha to over 200 000 ha.
Consequently, the income from ecotourism, employment and biodiversity conservation increased. Prof Kerley was also honoured for his service advising government and on the boards of South African National Parks and Eastern Cape Parks, and internationally as an invited member of three IUCN Species Survival Commission Specialist Groups.
In accepting the award, Prof Kerley highlighted the contribution of the over 100 MSc and PhD students and postdocs he has worked with.
