In November, the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative, of which the RSPB is a partner, won the prestigious Earthshot Prize in the Protect and Restore Nature category.
The prize, also known as His Royal Highness Prince William’s Earthshot Prize 2024, recognises the initiative’s major successes in conserving and restoring the ecosystems of Kazakhstan’s steppe, wetlands and deserts.
This work benefits globally important populations of wildlife including Saiga Antelope, Steppe Eagle, Sociable Lapwing and the recently reintroduced Przewalski’s Horse, which has been absent from the steppe for 200 years.
Most remarkably, the Saiga Antelope population shrank to just 40,000 in 2005 due to poaching. But thanks to Altyn Dala’s work, the population has risen to 2.8 million in 2024. The dramatic growth was facilitated by research, anti-poaching and anti-smuggling work, protected area establishment and public education.
Altyn Dala is one of the biggest conservation initiatives that the RSPB is part of, working across 75 million hectares (185 million acres) – an area equivalent in size to Turkey or Texas. The initiative’s goals are to create and expand protected areas, restore threatened species’ populations, stop illegal wildlife trade and provide professional training and education.
The ceremony was held in Cape Town, South Africa, and celebrated innovative initiatives aimed at repairing Earth’s nature and wildlife. Each of the five winners will receive £1 million to scale their work and receive support from experts through The Earthshot Prize Global Alliance Partners.
“We are delighted that the joint efforts of the Ministry and our partners have been recognized on the world stage,” says Daniyar Turgambayev, Chair of the Committee of Ecology and Natural Resources, “and we congratulate the winners in other categories. This award will strengthen our position to expand conservation initiatives in Kazakhstan.”
The best bits of the Earthshot Prize Awards 2024 in Cape Town, featuring Winnie Harlow, Prince William, Billy Porter and more. Video: @EarthshotPrize
