The next generation of wildlife conservation
A biologist from Cusco and a forestry scientist from the Manu region: Stefany Rado and Eleazar Sanchez have been strengthening our team in Peru as new forest guardians since the start of April!
You can find out more about their backgrounds, why they joined us and what their roles involve here:
"My biology degree has taught me to respect, appreciate and, above all, love nature. It has brought me here, to my beloved jungle, to carry out a great task. This reminds me of what a great poet once said: ‘Turn a tree into firewood and it will burn for you, but it will bear no flowers or fruit for your children’ – Rabindranath Tagore.
Now, these are no longer just words; they are our reality. It is indescribable to be able to study and, above all, protect what is closest to my heart. To be able to make it my profession is one of the greatest gifts life could have given me.
I studied biology at UNSAAC in Cusco and have since worked on various projects in the Madre de Dios region, including an environmental study on the regeneration of natural areas destroyed by gold mines and the restoration of tree species threatened with extinction."
Now, these are no longer just words; they are our reality. It is indescribable to be able to study and, above all, protect what is closest to my heart. To be able to make it my profession is one of the greatest gifts life could have given me.
I studied biology at UNSAAC in Cusco and have since worked on various projects in the Madre de Dios region, including an environmental study on the regeneration of natural areas destroyed by gold mines and the restoration of tree species threatened with extinction."
"I come from the Manu region and was born in Palotoa. The name of the place comes from the Matsiguenga word ‘Paroto’, which means balsam tree (Ochroma pyramidale).
Even as a child, I loved listening to the birdsong at dawn; during the day, I would watch monkeys leaping about in the treetops and admire the footprints of jaguars (Panthera onca) and tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) on the banks of streams, as well as fish such as Prochilodus magdalenae in the tributaries of the upper Madre de Dios River.
I studied forestry engineering at UNSAAC, with the aim of conserving forest and wildlife resources and managing them sustainably."
Even as a child, I loved listening to the birdsong at dawn; during the day, I would watch monkeys leaping about in the treetops and admire the footprints of jaguars (Panthera onca) and tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) on the banks of streams, as well as fish such as Prochilodus magdalenae in the tributaries of the upper Madre de Dios River.
I studied forestry engineering at UNSAAC, with the aim of conserving forest and wildlife resources and managing them sustainably."
The Forest Guardians
Highly experienced locals work every day to protect Peru’s forest areas.
Daily on-site forest conservation
In Peru, we need to maintain a presence in our forest areas and stay in touch with the local people to ensure the protection of the land. This task is carried out by local forest guardians.
They patrol the areas regularly, fly drones, put up signs, liaise with local people about our projects and, where necessary, tackle illegal activities. They lead and support our expeditions, research work and environmental education projects. At the same time, the programme offers an alternative way of earning a sustainable livelihood.