International Fund for Animal Welfare's Grace Gabriel honored with Conde Nast Traveler environmental award

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Grace Gabriel, Asia Regional Director for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW – www.ifaw.org), was today announced a runner-up winner for the 24 annual Conde Nast Traveler Environmental Award, published in the November issue (http://www.cntraveler.com/environmental-awards).

Gabriel was recognized for her pioneering campaigns in China aimed at thwarting the human demand for wildlife and wildlife products.

For the past two decades, Conde Nast Traveler has recognized conservation activists with its Environmental Award. Awardees are nominated by leading nonprofits and selected by an expert panel of judges.

"It's a tremendous honor to receive this award," said Grace Gabriel.  "I hope that it will help to raise awareness about the cruel and unsustainable wildlife trade."

While implementing campaigns in China to reduce the use of bear bile, tiger bone and elephant ivory, Grace noted the disassociation of consumer demand for the animal parts with its source.  As a result, Grace spearheaded several demand-reduction campaigns connecting the links between consumption of the animal products with poaching of the same animals in the wild.

In 2012, 19 million dollars' worth of advertising space was donated throughout China for the IFAW campaign "Mom I Got Teeth," which was launched by Grace and her team after polling data showed that 80 percent of Chinese say they would not purchase ivory if they knew its source was a dead elephant.

Gabriel added, "Changing behavior is a long term endeavor.  Progress has been made on many fronts; however, constant vigilance is required if we are to save these magnificent animals.

Recent years have seen a surge in the number of elephants poached for their ivory. In 2011 alone, between 25,000-50,000 were killed.

"We congratulate Grace on receiving this award," said IFAW President and CEO Azzedine Downes.  "Her efforts are critical in educating the public on the realities of the global wildlife trade and its devastating impact on some of the most imperiled species on earth."

About IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare) Founded in 1969, IFAW rescues and protects animals around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals, and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE International Fund for Animal Welfare