Seahorse expert wins Indianapolis Prize for conservation

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A Canadian scientist described as the 'œpreeminent authority on seahorse ecology and conservation'ť has won 2020 Indianapolis Prize for conservation, it was announced Tuesday.

Amanda Vincent, who directs Project Seahorse at the University of British Columbia, was the first biologist to study seahorses in the wild, document their extensive trade and establish a project for their conservation. Seahorses act as flagship species for a wide range of marine conservation issues, the zoo said.

'œDr. Vincent brings a collaborative, culturally sensitive and solutions-focused approach to ocean conservation," said Rob Shumaker, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc., which presents the Indianapolis Prize every other year.

The winner of the Indianapolis Prize receives $250,000. The winner is selected by a nine-person jury.