Heavyweight animal welfare and conservation organisation Global Humane has honoured its board chair at a landmark ceremony at Nelson Mandela Bay’s Nyosi Wildlife Reserve, heralding its expansion into Africa and “commitment to building a just world for all beings”.
The full board of the US-based organisation attended the ceremony at the Greenbushes reserve where it is already funding rewilding, groundwater harvesting and community empowerment in support of the Nyosi vision of a world first eco-tourism venture linking Gqeberha, Despatch and Kariega.
Global Humane board chair John Payne is the founder of Compassion-First Pet Hospitals which today, as NVA Compassion-First, has branches across the US.
He was honoured at the Nyosi ceremony with the Global Humanitarian Medal for his lifelong exploration and promotion of “the healing power that exists within the human-animal bond”, and his efforts to grow American Humane into a worldwide force.
Handing over the medal after an electrifying performance from African Drumbeat, Global Humane president Dr Robin Ganzert said Payne’s career was underpinned by “his realisation that the human-animal relationship embodies a profound sense of interconnectedness with the world”.
“Time and time again studies have shown the impact that animals can have on our physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
“From therapy dogs bringing comfort to hospital patients, to service animals providing assistance to those in need, John has been a driving force in promoting and advancing the therapeutic potential of our relationship with animals.
“He knows full well that animals make us better humans.
“Today, as we bestow upon John the Global Humanitarian Medal, we not only honour his remarkable achievements but also reaffirm our own collective commitment to building a more compassionate and just world for all beings.”
Payne said he was honoured to accept the medal on behalf of the Global Humane team and their work “to protect animals and make the world a better place” — and highlighted the work of Bay-based eco-tourism pioneer Adrian Gardiner, who hosted Wednesday’s event.
He said Gardiner, founder of international conservation-focused hospitality group Mantis, and the joint venture partner driving Nyosi’s expansion, could rely on Global Humane’s support.
“I love Adrian’s vision, what he has accomplished and what he wants to accomplish.
“It’s mind-blowing and, as your partner, we will make it happen.”
Gardiner, 81, who was awarded the Global Humanitarian Medal in 2023 for “altering the trajectory of wildlife in Africa”, said Global Humane’s support for Nyosi and African conservation was fundamental.
“You have already helped us here with our cheetah rewilding, Water for Wildlife and Greening Young Futures projects, so the work you are doing — and for us to be part of it — is great.”
He said besides his vision of Nyosi as a unique big five rewilded urban nature reserve in the heart of Nelson Mandela Bay, he had several other plans up his sleeve, including projects to combat the plagues of canned lion hunting and rhino poaching.
“I also want to launch a scientific institute here at Nyosi that will focus on the study and conservation of terrestrial and marine plants and wildlife, all the parts that make the planet work — and to explain how jobs can be created by protecting them.”
Global Humane is the international arm of American Humane, which in 1877 became the first unified organisation of its kind in the US focusing on the prevention of cruelty, abuse, neglect and exploitation of children and animals.
Global Humane regional director Taryn Gillson said besides in SA, the organisation was already established in Zimbabwe and was exploring opportunities to get involved in projects across Africa.
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