Australian conservationist takes out top honours at the Animal Justice Awards
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Australian conservationist Madison Stewart, founder of Project Hiu, has won the inaugural World Animal Protection award for Effective International Advocacy at the 2026 Animal Justice Awards that was held over the weekend.
Based in Lombok, Indonesia, Project Hiu operates on a powerful philosophy - conservation works best when it supports people as well as wildlife.
By repurposing shark fishing vessels for ecotourism, tagging sharks for research, and funding education opportunities within fishing communities, Project Hiu is delivering measurable impact by saving thousands of sharks while creating long-term economic alternatives for local families.
Judges praised Project Hiu for its innovative, compassionate approach and its ability to redefine what effective international animal advocacy can look like when community collaboration and respect sit at the centre of species conservation.
Also shortlisted in the category for their significant contribution to animal justice and advocacy overseas were Leif Cocks founder and CEO of The Orangutan Project whose mission is to ensure the survival of all orangutan species and to promote their welfare within rainforest ecosystems, and former live export veterinarian, Dr Lynn Simpson, for her work helping to expose the horrors of the live animal export trade.
The World Animal Protection award for Effective International Advocacy aims to shine a light on an Australian individual or organisation that has undertaken effective and impactful campaigning to reduce animal suffering on a global level.
Stewart’s win stands as a testament to what can be achieved when conservation uplifts communities and creates futures where both people and wildlife can thrive.
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