Animal Action Awards 2024 Programme

On behalf of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), I am delighted to welcome you this evening to BAFTA to celebrate the extraordinary impact and accomplishments of our 2025 Animal Action Award winners. 

This year’s honourees represent some of the most inspiring examples of leaders whose selfless determination and passionate commitment have fundamentally impacted the spectrum of animal welfare, rescue, and conservation. 

Chosen from among hundreds of worthy nominations submitted worldwide, each honoree epitomizes the essence of bringing to fruition a future where animals and people thrive together. 

Our awardees this evening hail from across the globe—from Kenya to Zimbabwe, from Belize to Mexico and Canada, and from the UK to China and Indonesia—each leaving a mark in a unique and powerful way, reminding us without fail that achieving a lasting impact for animals is only possible through courage, collaboration, and compassion. Their work—and your presence here tonight to celebrate it demonstrates the success of the global conservation movement that continues to build momentum every day. 

May this evening’s celebration inspire you as it has inspired me. I thank you for joining us as we honour these remarkable individuals who represent a more hopeful future and take us all one step closer on the journey of stewardship of the world’s beloved animals. 

Azzedine Downes 
President & CEO 

We are delighted that Michaela Strachan will be hosting the 2025 Animal Action Awards. 

Michaela is one of the UK’s most beloved wildlife presenters, with a broadcasting career spanning almost four decades. She first gained popularity on children’s television in the 1980s and later as the presenter of The Really Wild Show, Countryfile, and—as part of the team of ‘The Watches’—Springwatch, Autumnwatch, and Winterwatch.  

Her work is deeply rooted in her passion for conservation, animal welfare, and environmental advocacy. Michaela has travelled widely, filming for wildlife and nature programmes around the globe, and has used her voice to raise awareness of the threats facing animals and habitats.  

We are honoured to welcome Michaela Strachan to this year’s Awards and look forward to her guiding us through this inspiring evening.