Dr Vilá has spent 30 years working on conservation of vicuñas (photo courtesy of Wikipedia)
Argentine researcher Bibiana Vilá has been awarded the United Nation’s Midori prize for her work in conservation of vicuñas.
It is the first time an Argentine has won the prize, which is awarded every two years by the UN’s Convention on Biological Diversity for outstanding work in conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity on a local, regional, or global scale.
Dr Vilá is the scientific coordinator of the Advisory Council of Biodiversity and Sustainability of the Ministry of Science, and has spent more than 30 years dedicated to the study and conservation of vicuñas.
The selection committee published the following statement over their choice: “Regarding the conservation of wild vicuñas in the Andean altiplano, Dr Vilá has led the implementation of conservation measures integrating both traditional knowledge of indigenous communities and modern science including ecology, ethology and animal welfare. Also, she has made significant contributions by integrally promoting support to local communities and the implementation of environmental education. This has been achieved through the sustainable use of economically high-value vicuña fibre, realising both the conservation of wild animals and the stable development of regional communities, and through leading a local-based and globally important project.”
Dr Vilá will be awarded the prize at a ceremony on 15th October in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
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