More honors for looners

Some of Big Mantrap’s loon team gather to dress rafts in spring 2026.

Big Mantrap’s loon team has earned another national honor ‒ The Wildlife Society’s Special Service Recognition Award.

This award honors a person or group who has made an outstanding contribution over the short or long term to the wildlife profession, wildlife conservation management or science.

The Big Mantrap loon program is one of three awardees this year. Big Mantrap’s loon crew is in good company. Other winners are Peter Gros and Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom and Stephen Webb, adviser to the Texas A&M University student chapter of The Wildlife Society.

The Wildlife Society announced the winners this week. Awardees will be recognized at the society’s conference in early November in Des Moines. Read more on The Wilderness Society’s website.