Project: Zoo Quest host and founder Chester Moore recently received a first place award in the Texas Outdoor Writer's Association's (TOWA) "Excellence in Craft" competition for the article "PR problem leading to Asiatic elephant's demise in the wild".

<:od>The article appeared here last September and took first place for "Best Original Internet Story".

<:od>"It's truly an honor to be honored by TOWA especially for writing about a subject that is no near and dear to my heart like Asiatic elephants. I would like to thank Joey Ratliff and everyone at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans for giving me an up close and personal glimpse at these amazing animals. Without Joey I would never had had the inspiration for the article," Moore said.

<:od>Moore picked up nine more awards including a first place in “Special Outdoors Projects” for “Operation: Broodstock,” a joint conservation effort with the Texas Fish & Game magazine, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA).

<:od>“We are very proud of our conservation work because it is actual participation in conservation not just lip service,” Moore said. “Operation: Broodstock involves catching southern flounder and speckled trout broodstock for TPWD/CCA hatcheries, to help with stocking programs. It is a true honor to be recognized for something we love doing and feel is so important.”

<:od>Moore also placed in the wildlife photography, nature photography, news reporting, magazine, opinion writing, newspaper feature and book (Texas Waterfowl).

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