CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has announced that Hank Edwards has been named “Wildlife Professional of The Year” by The Wyoming Chapter of the Wildlife Society.
This peer-nominated award is handed out annually to recognize professionals contribution to the wildlife field.
The announcement says that Edwards began working for Game and Fish in 1997, and has helped with numerous research collaborations with other state and federal agencies and academic institutions. In addition, Edwards also co-authored the “Field Guide to Diseases of Wyoming Wildlife” book in 2011.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department goes on to say that
most notably, Edwards and his laboratory have been instrumental in understanding the relatedness of various Brucella abortus organisms throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and performed serologic diagnostics on thousands of elk blood samples, helping to map the brucellosis endemic areas of Wyoming and track the progression of the disease in the state.
“Hank leads a talented team of wildlife disease professionals who are nationally recognized for being on the leading edge of diagnostic techniques for brucellosis, chronic wasting disease and bighorn sheep respiratory disease,” said Aly Courtemanch, Game and Fish wildlife biologist in Jackson and one of five who put forth Edwards’s nomination.
According to the announcement on their website, this is the second time Edwards has received the honor of Professional of the Year – once before in 2006. He is the only person in the history of the chapter to be named twice.
“It’s humbling and a great honor to be recognized by my peers,” said Edwards. “I work with people who are incredibly dedicated to wildlife and go above-and-beyond to help study and prevent the spread of wildlife diseases. I am really proud to hang this award on my wall.”
