The IUCN/SSC-affiliated Tapir Specialist Group is a global group of biologists, zoo professionals, researchers and advocates dedicated to conserving tapirs and their habitat through strategic action-planning in countries where tapirs live, information sharing, and through educational outreach that shows the importance of the tapir to local ecosystems and to the world at large.


Affiliated

  Patricia Medici Wins IUCN Harry Messel Leadership Award

TSG Chair Patricia Medici
November 21, 2004: At this year's IUCN World Conservation Congress in Bangkok, Thailand TSG chair Patricia Medici received the newly created Harry Messel Conservation Leadership Award. This award honors “individuals from within the SSC network who have made a significant contribution to conservation on the ground ... in the context of their participation in an SSC Specialist Group or Task Force ...”

Pati is an inspiring and dedicated leader of the TSG and it's wonderful that her work on behalf of tapir conservation has been recognized. Congratulations, Pati!
Pati with captured "Cidao" and field assistant Jose at Morro do Diabo State Park, Sao Paulo State, Brazil
In her own words: A couple of months ago I was invited to attend the SSC Meeting planned for the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, and give a speech about the work of the IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group (TSG). At that time, Dr. David Brackett, Chair of the SSC, mentioned that he was really impressed with the latest developments and level of energy of our group, and said that he wanted me to be there in order to share a little bit of our work and interact with other Specialist Group chairs. Besides that, Dr. Brackett generously offered to cover my travelling expenses.

The TSG speech was VERY well received. Each SSC chair was given only 10 minutes to give a brief overview of the most important aspects of his or her group's work. Besides the speech, I brought 3 posters with me, including outlining TSG Fundraising and Action Planning Committees, committee organization, and our Tapir Symposia. I also brought copies of previous issues of our Tapir Conservation Newsletter and hundreds of copies of our new TSG brochure. All materials were widely distributed during our 2-day meeting.

TSG Chair Patricia Medici interviews a farmer with tapirs on his land, Sao Paulo State, Brazil

In the final session of the meeting a couple of days ago, Dr. David Brackett announced the awards offered by the IUCN Species Survival Commission. And ... I am very happy and proud to let you know that I was awarded the HARRY MESSEL CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP AWARD, which was created this year to recognize the work of Specialist Group chairs! It came as a huge surprise to me as I had absolutely no idea I had been nominated for this award, and I must tell you that it makes me really happy to know that all our hard work with the TSG over the past years has been recognized by IUCN. It's been a long way since I was nominated by Sharon Matola to be the chair of this group, we had A LOT of work to do, but I'm never tired of saying how lucky I am working with and learning from all our members and supporters! Also, I'm never tired of saying that there's definitely a good energy surrounding the TSG, and I have no doubt we'll be able to accomplish MANY other amazing things.

It was an honor to accept this award on behalf of all TSG members and supporters. After all ... we all know I don't do anything by myself and it's our team work that was recognized.

Patricia Medici
Chair, Tapir Specialist Group
E-mail: epmedici@uol.com.br

To see a full report of the SSC meetings, see the IUCN SSC Report.
Inquiries/Comments | Sign Up for Tapir Talk E-mail

© 1990-2007 Tapir Specialist Group