Whitley Award donated by The Friends of The WFN to Jittin Ritthirat for Community-led conservation of Thailand's Elephants in populated monsoon forest, West Thailand. Jittin Ritthirat (Thailand) is leading efforts in Salakpra (a backdrop for the De Niro film, The Deer Hunter) to reduce conflicts between wild elephants and domestic cattle over access to water and grazing, and restore Thailand's oldest nature reserve as a national treasure, tourist magnet and example to others.