01 Feb Introducing our new field staff!

We are pleased to welcome new field staff to Osa Conservation! We are excited to have these wonderful new additions be a part of our team in the Osa Peninsula and we look forward to building on their expertise, knowledge and excellent enthusiasm to help us conserve “the most biologically intense place on earth.” Please join us in welcoming Andy, Karla and Alejandra!

 

 

Dr. Andy Whitworth, Director of Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation

• He is originally from the UK;
• He lived and worked in Manu, Peru for the past 6 years, including as the Biodiversity and Conservation Coordinator for the “Sustainable Manu Project” and as a Research Manager for The Crees Foundation;
• His PhD thesis is from The University of Glasgow in Scotland and  entitled “Conservation Value, Biodiversity, and Methods of Assessment in Regenerating Human Disturbed Tropical Forests;”
• He started keeping pet snakes when he was 7 years old, including venomous ones by the time he was 11 years old (unbeknownst to his mother);
• He is most excited to finally see the silky pygmy anteater, which is one of his favorite animals and is what brought him to the rainforest.

 

Karla Funes, Conservation Experience Manager

• She is from Golfito, Costa Rica;
• Previously, she worked as the Operations Director of Osa Green Travel Agency and as Administrative Coordinator at Lapa Rios Lodge;
• She holds an International Master in Auditing and Business Management, FUNIVER, Costa Rica; Bachelor of Business Administration, Tourism, Metropolitan University Castro Caraz, Costa Rica;
• She received her Certified Tour Guided License by National Institute of Tourism;
• She loves to run and to be in nature; She enjoys traveling and aims to visit a new country every year.

 

Alejandra Rojas, Naturalist Guide and Avian Program Coordinator

• She is from Costa Rica
• She holds a BSc in Tropical Biology from National University in Costa Rica;
• She grew up surrounded by the sea and the rainforest, which is where she developed a passion for wildlife;
• Previously, she worked at an ecolodge near the Esquinas River estuary, where she had the chance to learn all about the biodiversity of Golfo Dulce;
• She started working as a freelance Bird Guide in 2015;
• Her favorite bird is the Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans), but she also enjoys watching the understory mixed flocks that follow the army-ant swarms.