International Cosmos Awarded to Wildlife Trust Alliance Scientist
Dr. Raman Sukumar Recognized For Ecologic And Conservation Research
NEW YORK - October 1, 2006 - Wildlife Trust Alliance scientist, Dr. Raman Sukumar, has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious 2006 International Cosmos Prize. Dr. Sukumar, who serves as chairman of the Center for Ecological Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, was chosen from more than 40 nominees in recognition for his achievements in the fields of ecology and conservation biology in the Western Ghats of southwestern India. Dr. Sukumar is also the Managing Trustee of the Asian Nature Conservation Foundation based in Bangalore, India.
The Cosmos Prize, presented by the Expo '90 Commemorative Foundation, is awarded annually to honor those whose work exemplifies the Foundation's goal to sustain a "harmonious coexistence of nature and mankind." The award recipient should embody the Foundation's ideals and present a global approach in understanding that the world and all its inhabitants are interdependent. The prize consists of a commendation and a monetary reward of 40 million yen - approximately $340,000 U.S. dollars.
Dr. Sukumar's research into the ecological relationship between humans and elephants and the resolution of conflicts between the two realizes the principles of the Foundation. Dr. Sukumar will formally accept the award at a ceremony in Osaka, Japan held on October 26th. A commemorative lecture will also be held in his honor.
As a leading ecologist, Dr. Sukumar's work has made significant contributions towards Asian elephant ecology and conservation, climate change and habitat protection. Dr. Sukumar has received numerous awards, including a Whitley Gold Award and the TN Khoshoo Memorial Award for conservation. Dr. Sukumar is the first Indian recipient of the Cosmos Award.
Wildlife Trust officially launched the Wildlife Trust Alliance in 2004 to provide a strong, unified voice for local conservation leaders and to serve as a resource for policy makers, fellow scientists, educators and the media. The Wildlife Trust Alliance is fast becoming a "think tank" of intellectual leaders and a global voice for local conservation scientists. Their diverse skills and wisdom lead to scientifically innovative, culturally appropriate and cost-effective solutions to the challenges of protecting ecosystem health in human-dominated landscapes. Wildlife Trust empowers this network of local scientists worldwide, through training and support.