SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE 11 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Global Humane Society has awarded Dr Kathleen Dudzinski, founder and director of the Dolphin Communication Project, the ‘2025 Wolfgang Kiessling International Species Conservation Award.’ This accolade was established in honour of Wolfgang F. Kiessling, the founder of Loro Parque and a global leader in conservation.

The award recognises leading conservation scientists who effect meaningful changes in species conservation and preservation.

Dr Dudzinski is the director and founder of the Dolphin Communication Project and the editor-in-chief of the journal ‘Aquatic Mammals.’

Her comparative research has helped bridge the gap between the behaviours of wild cetaceans and those under human care, contributing to both science and conservation efforts.

The pioneering work of Dr Dudzinski has deepened our understanding of dolphin communication and inspired global conservation actions, said Dr Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of the Global Humane Society.

Loro Parque highlighted that her dedication over more than three decades exemplifies the spirit of this award, demonstrating how science, education, and compassion can unite to protect species and preserve the planet.

“Throughout my 30-year career studying dolphin communication and behaviour, I have channeled my research findings into educational programmes with a strong conservation message,” said Dudzinski, emphasising that “being part of the distinguished list of previous winners of the ‘Kiessling Award’ provides me with a respected global platform to exponentially extend my reach.”

In her view, the award will assist her in “sharing the complexities of dolphin social life, including their subtle interactions, postures, and actions, and will inform and promote a conservation-minded lifestyle among the masses, especially younger generations who are keen to protect our oceans.”

With over 30 years of fieldwork in the Bahamas, Japan, Belize, Honduras, and other locations, Dudzinski is an expert in cetacean social behaviour and advocates for marine conservation through ecotourism, education, and international outreach.

She has also developed and deployed state-of-the-art acoustic and underwater video systems that help scientists learn more about cetaceans.

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Wolfgang Kiessling noted that the award highlights “the efforts of those who dedicate their lives to protecting biodiversity,” and in an age when so many species are threatened, “it is essential to recognise and support individuals and organisations that are making a tangible impact on their preservation.”

For Kiessling, “wildlife conservation is a collective effort, and this award aims to spotlight the contributions of those who are leading the way.”

The Global Humane Society received an overwhelming response to this year’s call for nominations, with applications from qualified candidates representing over 30 countries.

To help acknowledge the significant impact of these candidates, the organisation named five finalists, recognising their immense contributions to species conservation.

The finalists for the award included Danté Fenolio, vice-president of the San Antonio Zoo Conservation and Research Centre; Yadvendradev V. Jhala, senior scientist at India’s National Academy of Sciences at the National Centre for Biological Sciences; Jonah Henri Ratsimbazafy, president of the Primate Research Group of Madagascar; and Hilde Vanleeuwe, executive director and associate researcher at WilderThings in Kenya.