Indianapolis Zoo names 27 nominees for 2027 Indianapolis Prize

The Indianapolis Zoo has named 27 conservationists as nominees for the 2027 Indianapolis Prize, the world’s leading award for animal conservation. A winner will be announced live in Indianapolis on Sept. 25, 2027, and receive $300,000 to support high-impact species-saving work.

Why it matters: - The Indianapolis Prize spotlights conservation work aimed at preventing extinction and protecting species on the brink. - The winner receives a $300,000 award that can accelerate proven, high-impact conservation work. - The prize has become a major platform for funding and public recognition in animal conservation.

What happened: - The Indianapolis Zoo announced 27 nominees for the 2027 Indianapolis Prize. - The announcement came on Sept. 16, 2026. - The winner will be announced live in Indianapolis at the prize’s signature event on Sept. 25, 2027. - The prize is co-chaired by Jeffrey A. Harrison, president and CEO of Citizens Energy Group, and Suzanne Fehsenfeld, a founding member of the Indianapolis Zoo.

The details: - Skilled deliberation committees will narrow the 27 nominees to six DeHaan Finalists. - One finalist will be named the winner and receive the $300,000 award. - Jake Oakman, senior vice president of external relations at the Indianapolis Zoo, said the nominees represent “the best of the best” in conservation efforts. - The Indianapolis Zoo said people can sign up for updates on the prize, DeHaan Finalists, the Emerging Conservationist Award and related news. - The zoo said it has awarded more than $8 million to conservationists through the Indianapolis Prize, the Saving Species Challenge, the Uproar Conservation Challenge and field conservation grants.

Between the lines: - The nominee list spans mammals, birds, fish, marine life, reptiles and invertebrates, showing the prize’s broad conservation scope. - Several nominees are tied to direct species recovery, protected-area creation, wildlife rescue, anti-poaching work and human-wildlife conflict reduction. - Multiple nominees have previously been recognized as DeHaan Finalists or major award winners, underscoring the prize’s role as a repeat honor for top conservation leaders. - The nomination list also includes technologists and policy-focused scientists, reflecting how conservation now depends on software, monitoring systems, research and governance as much as field biology.

What the nominees represent: - Alvaro Velasco Barbieri works on crocodile recovery and conservation in Venezuela and Latin America. - Reiner Beutel develops mechanical and pneumatic devices meant to reduce insect and arthropod deaths in mowing equipment. - Stuart Butchart led development of the Red List Index, now used by the United Nations and governments to track biodiversity loss. - Einar Topiltzin Contreras-MacBeath has helped assess more than 1,150 freshwater fish species for the IUCN Red List. - Lisa Dabek founded the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program in Papua New Guinea and works with Indigenous communities and local governments. - Sylvia A. Earle continues building a global network of marine protected areas she calls “hope spots.” - Ehab Khalil Abdul Rahim Eid leads conservation efforts across the Middle East, including the Aqaba Marine Reserve. - Rachel Graham’s shark research informs national shark plans, marine protected areas and fisheries reform. - David F. Gruber studies sperm whale communication and ocean biofluorescence, including the discovery of the first biofluorescent sea turtle. - Rosamira R. Guillen cofounded and leads Fundación Proyecto Tití, which protects the cotton-top tamarin in Colombia. - Axel Hochkirch has supported 1,500 grasshopper species assessments through the IUCN Red List. - Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is known for protecting endangered mountain gorillas in East Africa. - Laly L. Lichtenfeld works with Maasai Steppe communities on conservation education and big-cat protection. - Tania “Nena” Baltazar Lugones focuses on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation in Bolivia. - Laurie Marker studies cheetah genetics, biology and behavior and promotes livestock-guarding dogs to reduce conflict. - Roderic Mast has led global marine turtle prioritization work and helped advance protection for several species. - Ronaldo Goncalves Morato works on Brazil’s large-bodied mammals and has helped expand protected areas in the Pantanal. - Citrakasih M. Nente has helped rescue and rehabilitate more than 500 orangutans in Indonesia. - Paul Pearce-Kelly helped bring the Partula snail back from extinction. - Bulathge Vijitha Perera works on Asian elephant conservation and human-wildlife conflict mitigation in Sri Lanka. - Ted Schmitt’s conservation software is used globally for field operations and wildlife and anti-poaching monitoring. - Çağan H. Şekercioğlu secured Turkey’s first wildlife corridor for large carnivores. - Ir. Jamartin Sihite has rehabilitated and reintroduced more than 550 orangutans in Indonesia. - Tara S. Stoinski leads mountain gorilla and primate conservation research in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. - Marlice van Vuuren runs a wildlife sanctuary and medical clinic in Namibia focused on reducing human-wildlife conflict. - Lee James Taylor White works on African forest elephants, habitat loss and protected-area creation in the Congo Basin. - Li Aster Zhang played a central role in global efforts that reduced elephant poaching after ivory trade restrictions.

What's next: - The Indianapolis Zoo will narrow the nominee pool to six DeHaan Finalists. - The 2027 Indianapolis Prize winner will be announced on Sept. 25, 2027, in Indianapolis. - The zoo also plans to continue promoting the Emerging Conservationist Award and other conservation initiatives.

The bottom line: - The 2027 Indianapolis Prize nomination list highlights a global field of scientists, veterinarians, technologists and field leaders working to keep species alive and ecosystems intact.