Meet the Finalists for the 2024 Wild Animal Unique Personality Award

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Meet our 2024 Finalists

Their journeys highlight the urgent need to protect wildlife from industries that prioritise profit over well-being, while their unique personalities remind us that every animal is more than a number.

By celebrating them and voting for your favorite, you can help their venue secure $10,000 USD to amplify their important work. Together, we can continue the fight to end wildlife exploitation and ensure a better future for wild animals everywhere.

1. Darling
2. Frankie
3. Marco
4. Sundara
5. Akouba

Darling was part of an indigenous family in Eastern Cambodia. She worked on their farm, helping with logging. However, as technology advanced, her tasks became redundant and she rented for wildlife tourism.

This led to a tragic attempt to steal Darling, fortunately, her family sought help from Elephant Valley Project, and she has been living peacefully in their forest ever since.

Personality: Calm, Faithful, Elegant

• Darling, a graceful grandma of the wild, is a master of self-care.
• Known for her “spa days,” she takes great pride in covering herself in red mud, exfoliating by scratching on trees, and throwing leaves on her head just for fun! 
• Her best friend, Doe, is always by her side, as they bond over mud baths and bamboo snacks.
• Darling’s calm demeanor and loyalty make her a natural nurturer, keeping herself impeccably groomed while living her best life in the forests of Cambodia.

Darling's Protectors: E.L.I.E and EVP

Elephant Livelihood Initiative Environment (E.L.I.E.) is a non-profit organisation based in Mondulkiri, Cambodia focused on improving the welfare of captive elephants in Cambodia and conserving their habitats. The Elephant Valley Project (EVP) is a sanctuary for overworked, elderly, or injured elephants. They support local communities with jobs, promote forest conservation and have an ecotourism program that offers ethical and educational elephant experiences.

Follow Elephant Valley Project on Instagram

Frankie, an Eastern Sarus Crane, was rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in Northeastern Cambodia in 2010 as a young bird. Likely taken from her nest, she arrived at the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB), highly imprinted on humans, likely due to her time as an illegal pet.

These factors mean that Frankie cannot be released back into the wild, so she now lives at ACCB and serves as an ambassador for her species.

Personality: Inquisitive, Quirky, Chatty

• Frankie is a confident female Eastern Sarus Crane who loves to put on a show for people, especially men, in an effort to impress them. 
• Her insatiable curiosity often leads her to venture beyond her enclosure to mingle with other animals and humans at the centre.
• One thing's for sure - Frankie is not one to stay quiet. If you ever need to locate her, just mimic her call - a sound that rivals the majestic trumpeting of elephants. She thoroughly enjoys surprising visitors with her loud calls, often drawing near to them before letting out her distinctive cry.

Frankie's Protectors: Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity

Located in Cambodia, the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity in focuses on conserving endangered and critically endangered native species, with a special emphasis on water birds and chelonians.

ACCB rescues and rehabilitates Cambodian wildlife, striving for reintroduction into the wild whenever possible. In addition to its rescue efforts, the centre offers educational programs for local communities, government staff, local buddhist monks and visitors to raise awareness about conservation issues.

Follow ACCB on Instagram

West African Chimpanzees are critically endangered, often poached for the wildlife entertainment trade, with babies sold worldwide.

Marco, one of these babies, was captured after his mother was killed, the bullets that rained on her grazed his cheek, badly injuring his jaw. Luckily, authorities rescued him just before he was sold at a market. 

When Marco arrived at the Chimpanzee Conservation Center he needed urgent medical attention. He underwent two surgeries to ensure he could eat properly and that his injury wouldn’t hinder him in the wild. Although his mouth remains scarred, it gives him the endearing appearance of a cheeky child.

Personality: Empathetic, Sassy, Tease

• Marco is a mischievous and playful young chimpanzee who enjoys teasing his group and starting fights, sometimes even unintentionally.
• Partial to 'the zoomies', Marco engages with anything he can find. If his mates are resting, he will spray them with water or throw leaves to provoke play. 
• Despite his energetic nature, Marco is incredibly affectionate, gently approaching new arrivals and taking on a caring, big-brother role. 
• Marco plays a crucial role in the group's rehabilitation by promoting physical development, social bonding, and conflict-resolution skills within the entire group.

Marco's Protectors: The Chimpanzee Conservation Cente

The Chimpanzee Conservation Center, located in the Upper Niger National Park of Guinea, West Africa, offers a crucial environment for rehabilitating and reintroducing chimpanzees into the wild. Upon arrival, chimpanzees undergo quarantine and are integrated into groups where they learn essential survival and social behaviours, preparing them for eventual release.

The center works closely with local governments, training park rangers to enforce anti-poaching laws and collaborating with communities to develop sustainable alternatives to illegal activities. Despite the challenges of poaching, they continue to host new chimpanzees every year. 

Follow The Chimpanzee Conservation Center on Instagram

Sundara was born into the Hollywood entertainment industry. Like her white-tiger father, Sundara is cross-eyed. As she couldn't 'perform,' Sundara spent her first two years confined to a tiny 10'x20' cage. Her days were long and lonely, with no room for enrichment, no den to feel safe, and nothing to occupy her young mind.

But when this venue's veterinarian heard of her plight her story took a cinematic turn. Sundara's owners were convinced to free her, and she became one of several wildlife entertainment refugees at Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary.

Now thriving in her new home, Sundara is no longer just a survivor—she’s their star.

Personality: Full of beans, Brave, Smart 

• If Sundara could talk, she would say, “Everyone in the pool!” She is Safe Haven’s resident bathing beauty. Whether she is showing her Tipsy Tom toy who is boss, or floating by, eyes closed, sublimely clutching her Boomer Ball leaving, everyone wonders if she is even awake!
• When the pool is drained for cleaning, Sundara will wait expectantly in the empty basin.
• Clever and social, Sundara knows that splashing and making noise brings a crowd of admirers. She loves to put on a show, especially when there’s an audience to appreciate her boisterous antics.

Sundara's Protectors: Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary

Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary is a permanent sanctuary in Nevada, USA, for animals that cannot be released due to disabilities, habituation to humans, or exploitation in the exotic pet trade and entertainment industry. Accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, Safe Haven is known for providing spacious 10,000 square foot animal enclosures, species-specific enclosures and animal enrichment programs. 

The sanctuary advocates for stronger federal wildlife legislation and offers STEM-based field trips, conservation awareness programs, and tours that highlight animal welfare and the dangers of the illegal pet trade. 

Follow Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary on Instagram

Akouba was just 3 years old when she was rescued, unexpectedly found by agents who had initially come to save another baby chimpanzee. Kept in horrific conditions, she was confined to a dark room, severely malnourished, and repeatedly attacked by an adult monkey also held by her captor. 

When Akouba arrived at Akatia Primate Sanctuary she was covered in lacerations from these attacks and bore a deep wound on her wrist, likely sustained during the killing of her mother. 

Akouba quickly formed a strong bond with another orphan, Djodjo, becoming his protective big sister and guiding him through his own healing journey. Despite her past trauma, Akouba's resilient spirit remained unbroken.

Personality: Resilient, Mischievous, Clumsy

• Akouba, the ultimate foodie, can’t resist indulging in papayas, mangoes, and cocoa pods. Her love for treats even led her to a hilarious breakfast heist—caught with her head in the banana bucket, savouring her favourite fruits!
• This affectionate chimpanzee is all about closeness and bonding, often found tenderly caressing her caretakers’ skin. Her need for contact reveals a moving desire for reassurance and connection.
• One day, she might dazzle you with her graceful ballerina twirls; the next, another surprise talent. The only thing you can expect with Akouba is laughter, facination and a reminder of the special connection between humans and chimpanzees.

Akouba's Protectors: Akatia

Akatia operate two primate rehabilitation sancuaries in the protected forrests of Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa. Their objectives are to rehabilitate primates who are rescued from illegal trafficking, where they are sold as pets, or eaten as bushmeat.

They work with the Ministry of Water and Forests to safeguard classified forests essential for biodiversity. Through education, employment, and regular engagement, Akatia strives to build a sustainable model of conservation that benefits both wildlife and the people living alongside these precious habitats.

They hire former hunters trained as caregivers, and local farmers supply the produce, fostering a sense of responsibility towards wildlife conservation and integrating sustainable practices into local life.

Follow Akatia on Instagram