Austin Teen Wins National peta2 Award for Helping Put Wildlife Safety in Texas Driver Handbook

For Immediate Release:
September 24, 2026

Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382

Hero alert! With a new school year underway and teen drivers hitting the road, Westwood High School senior Amrita Josyula has earned a national Hero to Animals Award from PETA’s youth division, peta2, after her Austin-based nonprofit, Fauna Ark, helped add wildlife-safety guidance to the state’s official driver handbook. This year’s update explains wildlife warning signs and how motorists should respond when animals are on or near the roadway, helping save animals from being hit by cars and putting potentially lifesaving information in front of first-time drivers statewide.

Amrita, 17, launched Fauna Ark for her Girl Scout Gold Award project after witnessing a cat struck by a pickup truck—a moment that spurred her to act.

“Having that one life-changing moment in your back pocket is the push you need to keep going and continue caring,” says Amrita. “Your passion is your most valuable asset.”

With guidance from a mentor at UC Davis’ Road Ecology Center, Amrita developed Fauna Ark’s research methods and launched a wildlife-vehicle collision log, then began working with state agencies to advance driver education and roadway‑safety solutions. Outside of class, the Austin teen enjoys hiking and writing poetry.

“By getting wildlife-safety tips in front of new drivers, Amrita helps give animals the space and time they need to cross safely and reminds us all that we have the power to be heroes to animals,” says peta2 Vice President Rachelle Owen. “peta2 salutes her for setting a shining example of compassion and stands ready to support students across the U.S. who want to help animals in any way they can.”

Young people can follow in Amrita’s footsteps by helping wildlife in their communities—whether that’s asking their DMV to add a section about wildlife to their state handbook, asking their city council to implement wildlife-friendly infrastructure, or putting up flyers in their community to spread awareness. Students can email [email protected] for support in making an impact for animals in their own communities.

peta2—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers young people positive, empowering actions to help animals. For more information, please visit peta2.com or follow peta2 on TikTok or Instagram.