Director General of Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority wins Tusk Conservation Award
Born Free congratulates Kumara Wakjira, an outstanding individual, recognised for outstanding service to conservation.
Kumara Wakjira – photo courtesy of Tusk
Born Free wishes to extend profound congratulations to Director General Kumara Wakjira of the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, who has won Tusk’s Prince William Award for Conservation 2025.
Director General Kumara is a good friend and supporter of Born Free Ethiopia, where we are the operator of the country’s only wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre, Ensessa Kotteh, located 30km outside Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa.
After the award was announced, Will Travers, Executive President and Co-Founder of Born Free, said: “Director General Kumara is a man of integrity and principle, and has managed to navigate many challenges in his role leading the implementation of Ethiopia’s conservation efforts. He is also a compassionate being, who cares for the welfare of individual wild animals. His breadth of experience embraces practical conservation management, as well as the wider policy brief, including Ethiopia’s international efforts in meeting its biodiversity obligations.
“I am currently at CITES in Uzbekistan, an international Convention designed to regulate the global wildlife trade in plants and animals: a convention Director General Kumara is familiar with following specialised training provided to him by the government of Spain, and supported by Born Free, many years ago.
“I understand he will be joining us at the conference soon and I look forward to congratulating him in person. And I hope we can celebrate together the listing on CITES Appendix I (the highest level of protection) of two species of endemic Ethiopian snakes which are under consideration here in Samarkand.”
Born Free’s Ethiopia Country Director, Bereket Girma, has worked closely with Director General Kumara for many years, including coordinating the rescue of many of the animals who are cared for at Ensessa Kotteh today.
Bereket Girma said: “Director General Kumara’s recognition reminds us all that passion, hard work, and steady dedication can achieve extraordinary results. From protecting elephants and primates to ensuring that future generations can experience the wonder of Ethiopia’s wildlife, his work leaves a lasting legacy for both animals and people.
“Congratulations Kumara. We are all so proud of you and inspired by your vision and tireless commitment to Ethiopia’s wildlife. Your achievement shines a light on the difference one person can make, and it motivates all of us to continue working together to protect the natural world. Here’s to many more years of successful conservation, and to a future where Ethiopia’s wildlife thrives safely in its beautiful, wild home.”
Find out more about Born Free’s work in Ethiopia: