Her years of passionate caring for orphaned and injured rhinos, especially babies, might see Petronel Nieuwoudt receiving international recognition.
Nieuwoudt, the founder and CEO of Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary, has been nominated for the prestigious Indianapolis Prize, an initiative of the Indianapolis Zoological Society that was started 20 years ago.
“I am so excited and honoured to be one of the 44 conservationists to be nominated for this award,” Nieuwoudt said.
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She and Kerri Wolter of VulPro, who specialises in the rescue of vultures, are the only two South African conservationists who were nominated. If Nieuwoudt manages to bag the award, Care for Wild will receive a cash price of $250 000 (about R4.4m).
With this award, granted biennially, the Indianapolis Prize focuses on the inspiring work of conservationists who have had authentic success preserving animal species around the world.
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“The nominees are true champions for wildlife. I am honoured to highlight the important achievements of these remarkable individuals through the Indianapolis Prize,” Dr Rob Shumaker, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Zoo, said during the announcement of the nominees.
Nieuwoudt, originally trained in public relations, became a conservationist more than two decades ago. True to her passion, she successfully bred the first black rhino calf, both parents having been orphans from the Kruger National Park.
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Care for Wild is the largest rhino sanctuary of its kind in the world.
The award winner will be announced at a gala event in downtown Indianapolis on September 27 next year. Coincidentally, the artist who designed and created the bronze floating trophy is the South African-born sculptor, Bruce Little.
