Announcing the 2024 Wild Animal Unique Personality Award Finalists

Celebrating World Animal Day

October 4, 2024 – In honor of World Animal Day, World Animal Protection is thrilled to announce the 2024 Wild Animal Unique Personality Award finalists. This prestigious award celebrates the extraordinary personalities of wild animals and the venues that protect them from commercial exploitation. Honoring these remarkable sentient beings reminds us that every animal is more than just a number and can't be treated as a commodity.

How the shortlist is decided

Each chosen venue focuses on various efforts, including conserving endangered and critically endangered native species, rehabilitating and reintroducing animals into the wild when possible, or offering the best possible life to those who can’t return to the wild. Additionally, they rescue animals from illegal trafficking, the entertainment industry, or the pet trade. 

Audrey Mealia

The Wild Animal Unique Personality Award is dedicated to Audrey Mealia, a beloved and respected member of World Animal Protection’s wildlife team who passed away in 2021. This award honors her commitment to protecting animals from commercial exploitation and aims to inspire other and relevant facilities worldwide to improve animal care practices for wild animals while educating the public about the importance of maintaining high animal welfare standards.

Award Selection and Prize

The winner will be awarded a one-time prize of USD 10,000 to enhance the care and protection of wild animals at their facility. Finalists are selected based on criteria ensuring that the animals’ behaviors and traits are natural, not developed through training or negatively impacted by captivity. Additionally, the venue must adhere to responsible tourism standards, prohibiting direct contact with wild animals, selfies, or animal entertainment. Enclosures must also be suitable for the species and meet their individual physiological and behavioral needs.

Starting today, on World Animal Day, the public can cast their votes for their favorite finalist. Voting will remain open until October 25th, and the winner will be announced on November 8th.

Vote now

Meet the Finalists

1. Darling the Asian Elephant  

Darling is a gracious grandma elephant who just loves hosting mud baths and leafy spa sessions

Age: Over 60 years.

Darling’s protectors: Elephant Livelihood Initiative Environment (ELIE)  and the Elephant Valley Project (EVP)

Personality: Calm, Faithful, Elegant

2. Frankie the Showstopper Crane

Frankie is a confident Crane who loves to steal the spotlight, she is always putting on a show, especially for male visitors

Age:15-year-old.

Frankie’s protectors: Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB)

Personality: Inquisitive, Quirky, Chatty

3. Marco the Leaf-Launching Chimp

Marco is a West African Chimpanzee busting with energy and always ready to spark some fun.

Age: 4 years old

Marco's Protectors: Chimpanzee Conservation Center

Personality: Sassy, Mischievous, Empathetic

4. Sundara the Half Tiger, Half Mermaid

Sundara was born into the Hollywood entertainment industry, and now lives safely in a sanctuary.

Age: 7-year-old tiger

Sundara's Protectors: Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary.

Personality: Full of beans, Brave, Smart

5. Akouba the affectionate Foodie Chimpanzee

Age: 7 year old

Akouba's Protectors: Akatia

Personality: Resilient, Mischievous, Clumsy

Learn more

Notes to Editors:

• For more information and to arrange interviews with our experts, please contact:  Global Media Manager, Angela Stevenson: angelastevenson@worldanimalprptection.org  Tel: +1 (917) 9932530
• We shall feature exclusive content of our finalists and venues on our English and Spanish Instagram channels.
• Learn more about the Wild Animal Unique Personality award.