Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc. has announced Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, a Black conservationist recognized for her work with mountain gorillas, as a finalist for the Indianapolis Prize.

The biennial award recognizes the most successful conservationists who have achieved major victories in saving an animal species.

“These remarkable conservationists have dedicated their lives to protecting nature,” Dr. Rob Shumaker, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Zoological Society, said in a statement. “Their victories are making an authentic difference in saving many animal species. They are heroes who have earned our respect and admiration.”

As a doctor of veterinary medicine and the founder of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) and Gorilla Conservation Coffee, which supports local coffee farmers and protects mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, Kalema-Zikusoka was the only Black finalist announced.

You can see the other five finalists here.

When coffee and gorillas collide

Kalema-Zikusoka and her organization protects mountain gorillas from poachers who want their fur, paws, or heads as trophies. Meanwhile, the bush meat trade is another threat to the species.

Gorilla Conservation Coffee is a brand that sells coffee internationally from local farmers to stop conflicts and prohibit encroachment outside the border of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park because the country's population is growing and farmers need land to grow crops.

By paying coffee farmers — it pays them $0.50 per kilo above the market price, according to the Environmental Magazine — peace is kept. Moreover, Gorilla Conservation Coffee provides training to teach farmers sustainable practices to improve their yields and hosts tours for tourists.

“For tourists in Uganda, they can learn so much more about the coffee through a coffee safari at a farm near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. “They can experience the journey of coffee from bean to cup,” Kalema-Zikusoka told Environmental Magazine.

“When you order Gorilla Conservation Coffee, you are not only supporting the smallholder coffee farmers, but you are also saving the endangered mountain gorillas. A donation from every bag sold goes to support community health, gorilla health, and conservation education through CTPH,” she added.