On 15 May the Bernard Harrison & Friends Conservation Award for 2019 was presented to Dr Katja Koeppel, a wildlife veterinarian in the OP Faculty of Veterinary Science’s Department of Production Animals.

The award - for outstanding contributions to conservation - was handed to her at a gala dinner during the Pan African Association of Zoo and Aquarium (PAAZA) conference in Pretoria by none other than Bernard Harrison himself. With a zoological career spanning 38 years, Bernard Harrison has practically become synonymous with the Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) Group, one of the finest and most profitable zoological institutions in the world, also as CEO until 2002. *

PAAZA, of which Dr Koeppel is a longstanding member and auditor, brings together facilities from across Africa, and even from Europe and the United States. Its vision is to ensure that all African Zoos and Aquaria are effective and credible centres which inspire and foster care for nature. It is also part of the organisation’s mission to guide and accredit all African Zoos and Aquaria to become effective and credible centres of animal welfare, conservation, education and research.

“The department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty and university would like to congratulate Dr Katja Koeppel for being awarded the 2019 Bernard Harrison & Friends Conservation Award”, said Dr Rebone Moerane, Head of the Department of Production Animals in the Faculty. “We are proud of the dedication, passion and achievement shown by our colleague. In the process, she has also provided impetus to our continued efforts for global promotion and visibility of the Faculty”, he said.

Referring to the award, Dr Koeppel was her modest self when asked to comment on her achievement: “It is a great privilege to be presented with the award for conservation as it is extremely important to me to make an impact on species preservation”, she said.

*After 2002, Bernard Harrison founded his own consultancy which currently focuses on the development and sustainable operation of zoological and botanic gardens, national parks, and eco-tourism attractions. Previously, he was also the executive director of the Singapore Zoo and is an internationally renowned zoologist and zookeeper

Previous winners of the Bernard Harrison & Friends Award for Conservation include James Musinguzi, Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, in 2014.

Below: Left: The Bernard Harrison Conservation Award.

Right: Dr Katja Koeppel receives the prestigious award from Bernard Harrison