Indianapolis Prize Honors Ugandan Wildcat Conservationist with Emerging Award

The Indianapolis Prize, the leading global accolade dedicated to animal conservation, has announced that Mwezi 'Badru' Mugerwa is the recipient of the Indianapolis Prize 2025 Emerging Conservationist Award. This marks only the second time this award has been granted, recognizing a conservationist under the age of 40 for their exceptional efforts in safeguarding an endangered species or group of species. Mugerwa has been awarded a $50,000 cash prize for this honor.

Mugerwa, a prominent figure in Uganda’s conservation landscape, serves as the founder and director of Embaka, a community-focused organization dedicated to the preservation of the African golden cat. He initiated the first community-based anti-poaching project specifically targeting this elusive feline in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Furthermore, he established the African Golden Cat Conservation Alliance (AGCCA), a network comprising African nationals working collaboratively to enhance conservation measures across the range of the species. Notably, Mugerwa presides over the Africa region of the Society for Conservation Biology and is the designated president of the Society for Conservation Biology Global.

"Mwezi's commitment to involving local communities in conservation efforts is what makes him exceptionally deserving of this recognition. It is a great honor to present him with the Indianapolis Prize 2025 as an emerging conservationist," stated Dr. Rob Shumaker, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Zoological Society.

Mugerwa's journey began with innovative research into the African golden cat, utilizing camera traps that captured a striking black-and-white image of an elusive animal in the forest. At the time, the African golden cat was a little-known entity, an elusive species restricted to the forests of Equatorial Africa. During his outreach efforts to the local community, Mugerwa recognized that poaching—the foremost threat to the cat—was intricately linked to local livelihoods, as the cats often fall victim to bushmeat traps.

Since its inception in 2015, Embaka has prioritized community engagement in conservation initiatives. Through programs that range from providing free dental care and livestock to assisting families with loans and savings under agreements to refrain from poaching, over 2,225 community members have enrolled in efforts supporting the African golden cat.

"Having a national park in your backyard is not a burden but an opportunity. That’s the connection we are trying to make for the African golden cat within these communities," remarked Mugerwa. "Once you're in the communities and understand their challenges, such as needing money for dental bills, it becomes a matter of explaining how we can provide support. Communities possess the solutions, but they won’t share them unless you engage with them directly."

Mugerwa, alongside collaborators from the AGCCA across 19 African nations, employs artificial intelligence techniques to analyze camera-trap data and is working on a standardized observation model aimed at better studying African golden cat populations continent-wide.

His selection as the award recipient followed a rigorous two-stage evaluation process, leading him to be recognized as one of the top ten finalists in October 2024. The Emerging Conservationist Award is made possible through the generous contributions from the Kobe Foundation.

In May 2025, the Indianapolis Prize will also announce its main winner, who will receive a significant $250,000 award for their contributions to species conservation. Both the winner of the Indianapolis Prize and the Emerging Conservationist Award will be honored at the Indianapolis Prize Gala on September 27, 2025, in downtown Indianapolis, hosted by Cummins Inc.

For more information about the Indianapolis Prize Emerging Conservationist Award 2025, visit the official website. Further details regarding previous winners are also available at IndianapolisPrize.org.

About the Indianapolis Prize

The Indianapolis Prize has been established to celebrate and reward conservationists who have achieved significant success in promoting species sustainability. The Emerging Conservationist Award, introduced in 2023, acknowledges individuals aged 40 or younger who have made notable contributions to wildlife conservation. Since 2004, more than $7 million in unrestricted monetary awards has been granted to support the work of conservationists, further elevating awareness and financial backing for their endeavors. The Indianapolis Prize is an initiative of the Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.

Connect with the prize on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and visit indianapolisprize.org for ongoing updates.