Georgia's Giorgi Abramishvili among International Ranger Awards recipients

Giorgi Abramishvili, a ranger looking after the Batsara-Babaneuri Protected Area in Georgia's east, has been named among 10 recipients of the International Union for Conservation of Nature's International Ranger Awards for this year.

Abramishvili, who has served protected areas in Georgia for 17 years, was announced alongside rangers from territories across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe in the winners' list for the 2020-established prize that aims to "recognise the remarkable work of rangers in protected and conserved areas around the world".

The IUCN celebrated the Georgian professional by marking his long-standing perseverance in the face of adverse circumstances for preserving natural diversity in Georgia, in particular recognising Abramishvili's selfless service for the Ilto Managed Reserve.

To reach the reserve, Giorgi had to walk 35km, crossing the dangerous Ilto River each time. At the reserve, he lived alone for weeks at a time in a simple rustic hut

At a time when Batsara-Babaneuri Protected Areas suffered lay-offs, he continued patrolling without a salary. As a result of his dedication, IIto Managed Reserve remains untouched

- International Union for Conservation of Nature

• See the full list of 2021 International Ranger Awards

While no longer navigating the route in his daily work, Abramishvili now works as a Senior Ranger at the 2003-established protected area in Georgia's eastern province of Kakheti.

The Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia also praised its veteran employee, noting his "dedicated work, skills of resolving challenges and risks, and character traits of a leader".

The ranger awards were established last year with the support of the International Ranger Federation, Conservation Allies, and Global Wildlife Conservation.

Beside distinction through recognising their work with the international award, the IUCN hands a money prize of $10,000 to organisations employing the recipients of the prize.