The posthumous award of an honorary Doctor of Science degree to Lawrence Anthony at UKZN's College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science graduation ceremony was a bitter-sweet occasion for his family.
Anthony had been thrilled when he learned UKZN would honour him at the 2012 Graduation ceremonies for a lifetime of conservation work. With his death at the age of 61 on 2 March this year it was left to his son Dylan to accept the award on his behalf. Twelve of Anthony's closest family and friends attended the Graduation ceremony to honour his memory and celebrate his remarkable achievements.
The contributions of Anthony to conservation and the environment have been recognised at the highest levels globally. While much of his adult life has been dedicated to finding effective environmental solutions for the benefit of all life forms, he was probably best known for his bold conservation initiatives which include the rescue of animals from the Baghdad Zoo in Iraq at the height of the United States invasion in 2003 and expeditions into the jungle in Southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo in an attempt to save the Northern White Rhino from extinction.
A best-selling Author and Explorer, Anthony owned and lived on the Thula Thula Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, having grown up in the African bush in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and finally Empangeni in Zululand.
Anthony's initiatives in Baghdad where he eventually re-opened the zoo with the help of international aid and formed the first SPCA in Iraq were recognised by both the United States and Iraqi governments and he received the US 3rd Infantry Division Regimental Medal for bravery in his work. His book on the events titled Babylon's Ark won critical acclaim from the American Library Association, and the film rights have been acquired by a major Hollywood production company.
His second book, The Elephant Whisperer, is a non-fictional account of his relationship with wild elephants and the unique techniques he evolved to stabilise traumatised individuals and herds. The book is a best seller in South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Anthony founded the Earth Organisation, an independent international conservation and environmental organisation which aims to protect the environment and enhance the survival potential of all life forms and in 2007 he submitted the Wildlife in Warzones draft resolution to the United Nations in New York. The resolution obliges member states to protect wildlife and the environment in war zones and to treat zoos, game reserves, marine parks, veterinary facilities and game rangers as illegitimate targets of war. The resolution is being actively pursued internationally and is finding strong support and traction among member states.
His principle conservation and environmental focus has been the meaningful involvement of remote rural African communities in conservation and its benefits. This has been achieved through education and involvement of local communities in unique conservation projects on their own traditional land. He created two new African reserves in KwaZulu-Natal.
Anthony's conservation efforts earned him numerous awards and he served on a wide variety of governmental and humanitarian advisory boards in a variety of capacities. His son Dylan said that it was not only in wildlife and conservation that Lawrence made his mark, but also because of his incredible human rights initiatives.
Graduation Orator, Dr Joyce Chitja said UKZN was honoured to recognise Lawrence Anthony posthumously with the award Doctor of Science honoris causa for his courageous and unfailing commitment to the protection and conservation of animals and the broader environment, and for his successes in reaching out to share his unique experiences with the world.
UKZN's Executive Director of the Corporate Relations Division, Ms Nomonde Mbadi, said: 'Mr Anthony was indeed a rare and remarkable human being who has left a lasting legacy of goodwill and compassion.'
In accepting Lawrence's Doctorate on his behalf, his son Dylan said: 'Lawrence touched the hearts and minds of millions. Over the past few weeks since he passed away, the outpouring of love and condolences from people around the world has been heart warming and awe inspiring.
'Lawrence, with no formal training in zoology, spent the better part of his life trying to shelter wild animals and the environment from the ravages of human conflict. The honorary Doctorate he receives tonight stands as a wonderful testament to a battle long fought.'
'I wish I could give you a further insight into the extraordinary depth of this man with his love of people, love of adventure, his love of animals, his infectious laugh and piercing sense of humour. It was an honour to address you tonight and I believe Lawrence to be watching down and smiling upon this evening.'