Indianapolis Prize goes to conservationist

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Noted field biologist George B. Schaller of Connecticut is this year's winner of the Indianapolis Prize for his conservation efforts, an official says.

Indianapolis Zoo Chief Executive Officer Michael Crowther said the 73-year-old, German-born conservationist earned the prestigious honor through his attempts to save animals and wilderness around the world, The Indianapolis Star reported.

Among the animals that have benefited from his conservation efforts is a Tibetan antelope called the chiru, which was nearly extinct before he helped create a nature preserve for the species.

"He's taken animals like a chiru and turned them from a strange collection of vowels and consonants into a living, breathing creature," Crowther said of Schaller, who will be in Indiana Saturday night to accept the award.

The Star said the member of the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York is the second leading conservationist to receive the biennial award. In 2006, George W. Archibald was honored with the inaugural prize for helping create the International Crane Foundation.