Conservation leader to get Getty Prize

BALI: Conservationist Haji Masdjuni, the regent of Berau, East Kalimantan, will receive the prestigious J. Paul Getty Wildlife Conservation Prize for his achievement in sea turtle protection.

The prize will be presented during the World Wide Fund for Nature Indonesia's Turtle Night 2004 charity dinner at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park in Jimbaran, Bali, on Friday.

Haji Masdjuni is among five conservationist from five countries who will receive awards.

Established in l974 by the late J. Paul Getty, the prize recognizes conservation excellence and innovation by individuals and groups. Previous winners include famed British conservationist Sir Peter Scott, pioneering chimpanzee researcher Dr. Jane Goodal and the Charles Darwin Foundation. -- JP