Penguin Protectors Step into the Rolex Spotlight

Two visionary storytellers have been named the 2025 Rolex National Geographic Explorers of the Year.

Wildlife researcher and conservationist Pablo Garcia Borboroglu, a 2019 Rolex Awards Laureate, and acclaimed filmmaker, photographer and presenter Bertie Gregory have received this distinguished honour in recognition of their joint efforts to bring the compelling narrative of penguins to a global audience.

This prestigious accolade is awarded to pioneering figures whose work in exploration sheds critical light on the challenges our planet faces and inspires meaningful action towards a more sustainable future.

Since the award’s inception in 2011, Rolex has proudly supported it as part of its Perpetual Planet Initiative, an ambitious commitment to championing those at the forefront of environmental stewardship.

The title will be formally conferred at the National Geographic Society’s annual Explorers Festival in June 2025, held in partnership with Rolex.

The enduring alliance between Rolex and the National Geographic Society, now spanning more than seventy years, is anchored in a mutual dedication to discovery and the preservation of our natural world.

Through this partnership, the Perpetual Planet Initiative continues to support trailblazing individuals such as Borboroglu and Gregory, whose achievements embody excellence and lasting positive impact.

Pablo Garcia Borboroglu: Guardian of the Penguins

With a career spanning over three decades, Pablo Garcia Borboroglu has dedicated his life to marine conservation, with a particular focus on seabirds and penguins.

As founder of the Global Penguin Society, he has led international efforts to safeguard these iconic species through community education, colony management and the establishment of vast protected habitats.

His work has contributed to the conservation of more than 12 million hectares of ocean and coastal ecosystems, directly benefiting millions of penguins.

Borboroglu’s outreach extends beyond the scientific community. His educational programmes, directed at schools and communities near penguin colonies, especially in developing regions, have brought over 13,000 children face to face with these extraordinary birds, often for the very first time.

His initiatives have also included the donation of thousands of books to inspire the next generation of conservationists. In recognition of his achievements, he received a Rolex Award for Enterprise in 2019, enabling him to further advance his mission.

Bertie Gregory: A Storyteller in the Wild

Bertie Gregory’s journey began with distinction when he was named Youth Outdoor Photographer of the Year at just 18. Following a degree in Zoology from the University of Bristol, he began working alongside legendary National Geographic photographer Steve Winter.

Since then, he has carved out a dynamic career with National Geographic, producing and presenting a portfolio of captivating projects including Leopards at the Door, Jaguar vs Croc, Wild Life, Resurrection Island and The Big Freeze.

His work positions him as a powerful advocate for the natural world, and in 2019, Resurrection Island earned him the award for Best Television Host at the Jackson Wild Awards.

Gregory’s latest venture unites him with Borboroglu for a groundbreaking series: Secrets of the Penguins, executive produced by acclaimed filmmaker, Rolex Testimonee and National Geographic Explorer at Large, James Cameron.

Released in April 2025, the series draws upon Borboroglu’s scientific expertise and Gregory’s cinematic talent to offer an unprecedented view into the lives of penguins in some of Earth’s most extreme environments.

A New Perspective on Penguin Life

With privileged access, advanced technology, and the combined insight of two leading voices in wildlife storytelling, Secrets of the Penguins reveals behaviours and stories never before captured on film.

The series not only highlights the resilience of penguins in the face of climate and ecological change but also brings to life the beauty and urgency of their world for audiences across the globe.

As environmental threats intensify, this collaboration could not be more timely. Communicators such as Borboroglu and Gregory play a vital role in bridging the gap between scientific understanding and public engagement.

By illuminating both the fragility and the hope inherent in conservation work, they help galvanise global support for the protection of our natural heritage.

The Perpetual Planet Initiative: Rolex’s Commitment to the Future

For nearly a century, Rolex has stood behind those who expand the horizons of human achievement. Today, this legacy has evolved into a profound commitment to preserving the planet.

Through the Perpetual Planet Initiative, launched in 2019, Rolex supports individuals and organisations who use science to explore, understand and protect the Earth.

The initiative builds on the Rolex Awards for Enterprise and long-standing partnerships with entities such as Mission Blue and the National Geographic Society.

Its portfolio has grown to include over twenty partnerships, ranging from the pioneering marine work of Cristina Mittermeier and Paul Nicklen to large-scale restoration projects led by Rewilding Argentina and Rewilding Chile.

Other collaborators include Under The Pole expeditions, the Monaco Blue Initiative and Coral Gardeners.

Beyond this, Rolex also supports emerging explorers, scientists and conservationists through educational funding, grants and mentorships, including the Rolex Explorers Club Grants.

By investing in the next generation of environmental leaders, the Perpetual Planet Initiative is shaping a future where exploration serves not only discovery but the enduring well-being of our planet.