Award for creating a conservation road map
‘If you take the wildlife out of Africa there will be little to no tourism.Â
As the hospitality sector, it is our responsibility to create awareness of the current conservation crisis. To work alongside the communities in which we operate to create solutions and to enlighten and educate our tourists on how they can contribute towards positive change.’ [Adrian Gardiner]
Mantis Collection founder and chair, well-known conservationist and entrepreneur, Adrian Gardiner, recently received a prestigious honour when Global Humane presented him with a ‘Global Humanitarian Award’, only the fourth recipient to receive this award, and the first South African.
Prior to founding the Mantis Collection, Adrian spent decades dedicated to the conservation and protection of Africa’s wildlife, in partnership with both the Wilderness Foundation Africa and the Wilderness Foundation Global, where he serves as patron.
He founded Shamwari, the first private Big Five game reserve in the Eastern Cape, which inspired him to expand this blueprint, restoring the land and protecting the animals that inhabit it.
The Global Humanitarian Award is ‘in recognition of his lifelong dedication, energy, effort and passion to wildlife and nature conservation, to saving animals and their habitats that has laid a road map for other private entities to invest in conservation,’ said American Humane CEO, Dr Robin Ganzert.
‘Adrian could apply his sharp business sense anywhere, yet he’s chosen to invest his talents and capital in wildlife conservation. American Humane stands in awe of his accomplishments and is honoured to recognise him with our National Humanitarian Medal.’
Adrian, who has just turned 80, said he was deeply touched to have received the Award. ‘But I am equally humbled. The environment and conservation projects I have been involved with are not about me. It is about leaving a legacy for future generations. I am fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing team, we would never have accomplished what we have, without everyone’s incredible dedication, empathy, work ethic and love of nature and the environment.
‘In South Africa we say it takes a village to raise a child. The same is true for conservation. Everyone from visionaries through to environmentalists, local communities, tourists, and volunteers play an important role in spreading the message and making a difference on the ground. Our philosophy has also been to ensure inclusivity to help man, beast and the natural world live in harmony.’
Now, through the Community Conservation Fund Africa (CCFA) legacy conservation project, a foundation of the Mantis Collection, he continues to work alongside dedicated conservationists and community members. The aim of each CCFA project is participation by local communities in order for them to benefit from conservation and ecotourism, while creating a conservation and community legacy.
Here are some milestones and accolades Adrian’s has received for his conservation, environmental and tourism initiatives:
American Humane is the United States’ first national humane organisation and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare, which oversees the humane treatment of more than one billion animals across the globe each year. The organisation was in South Africa, Rwanda and Namibia to film footage for their second documentary ‘Escape from Extinction’ following the success of their first ‘Escape From Extinction’. Part of the filming included Impact projects at Mantis hotels as well as the Rhino Conservation program at Mantis Founders Lodge and Nyosi Wildlife Reserve to film the CCFA legacy projects.
Click here for more information on Mantis or CCFA and the various projects.
