The Ranger Award Ceremony took place on June 5, 2024 at the Bamyan provincial office of the National Environmental Protection Agency–Afghanistan. It was organized under the support of the PeLeWG in cooperation with Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Afghanistan. The event was attended by local authorities, WCS provincial and central office teams, and rangers. The speeches were delivered about the Persian leopard’s status, conservation and values in the country, and the activities of the PeLeWG and the IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group. The 10 nominated rangers received cash prizes and appreciation letters.

We hope that this small, but important, step will mark the beginning of new actions, projects and programs targeted at the conservation of Persian leopards, their prey and habitats in harmony with local people of Afghanistan.