A conservationist has been honoured for her decades of work to bring a species back from extinction.
Dr Tania Gilbert from Marwell Wildlife has received the rare Zoo and Aquarium Hero Award from the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) in recognition of her conservation efforts, particularly her work with the scimitar-horned oryx.
Dr Gilbert said: "I'm truly honoured to have been given this award.
"This animal was extinct across its former range and now it's back in the wild.
"It's the perfect example of what can be achieved when we all work together to save species.
"It is incredibly rewarding to see them in the wild in Tunisia and to know that together we helped save a species that otherwise wouldn't be here today."
(Image: Marwell Zoo)
Its decline was caused by overhunting, competition with livestock, and drought.
Dr Gilbert, who joined Marwell Wildlife's conservation team in 2001 and now serves as head of conservation science, has played a key role in international efforts to reintroduce the oryx to its native habitat.
Through the work of Marwell and partner organisations, the species has been reintroduced to Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal, and Chad, leading to its reclassification on the IUCN Red List from Extinct in the Wild to Endangered.
Dr Philip Riordan, director of conservation at Marwell Wildlife, said: "Tania has been instrumental to the conservation success we have achieved for the scimitar-horned oryx.
"For over 20 years, Tania has provided expert support for zoo-based conservation, as International Studbook Keeper and European breeding programme manager, guiding a selection of animals that have been successfully reintroduced to the wild in Tunisia and Chad.
"It is difficult to imagine that we would have succeeded in bringing the scimitar-horned oryx back from extinction without Tania's contributions."
Dr Jo Judge, CEO of BIAZA, also praised Dr Gilbert's achievements.
Dr Judge said: "Dr Gilbert's contributions towards conservation, in particular for the scimitar-horned oryx, have been absolutely outstanding.
"Without Tania, we might not be celebrating this species' incredible comeback today."
The Zoo and Aquarium Hero Award is rarely given, with previous recipients including CBBC's One Zoo Three presenters and individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the zoo and aquarium sector.