Kurdish wildlife conservationist Hana Raza has been named one of the 15 recipients of the prestigious 2025 National Geographic Wayfinder Award, presented in partnership with Kia. The award recognizes a new generation of National Geographic Explorers who are leading bold, transformative work in science, conservation, education, technology, and storytelling.

Raza, a pioneering conservationist and founder of Leopards Beyond Borders (LBB), was honored for her efforts to protect endangered species in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region—most notably the Persian leopard, which inhabits the mountainous areas of Kurdistan.

Her conservation journey began in 2011 when she captured the first-ever recorded image of a Persian leopard in Iraq using a camera trap on Qaradagh Mountain in Sulaymaniyah Governorate. This landmark discovery marked a turning point not only in Iraqi wildlife research but also in Raza’s life. Driven by a deep passion for protecting this elusive predator, she pursued further studies in ecology and wildlife at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom.

In 2022, Raza established Leopards Beyond Borders, a nonprofit dedicated to safeguarding the habitat and survival of Persian leopards and promoting biodiversity across the region.

“Our aim is to change the image of Kurdistan and Iraq, showing the world that it has protected national parks and beautiful nature,” Raza previously told Kurdistan Chronicle.

The Persian leopard, listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is one of the world’s rarest big cats. Raza’s work is critical in raising awareness and fostering cross-border conservation efforts in a region often overlooked in global environmental discussions.

With this award, Raza joins a global network of explorers recognized by the National Geographic Society for their commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and inspiring the next generation of changemakers.