The global nonprofit honors this year's Rolex
National Geographic Explorer of the Year — marine biologist and
conservationist Fernando Trujillo —
and celebrates his accomplishments in protecting the iconic
Amazonian river dolphin.
WASHINGTON,
May 14,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of his immense
dedication to working with local communities in South America to co-create conservation
solutions that protect endangered aquatic wildlife and ecosystems,
the National Geographic Society is pleased to announce that
Fernando Trujillo is the 2024
recipient of the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year
Award.
The award — presented at the National Geographic Society's
annual Explorers Festival, hosted in collaboration with Rolex, a
long-standing partner of the Society — recognizes a member of the
National Geographic Explorer community who shines a critical light
on important issues, discoveries and challenges facing our planet
to generate a sustainable future.
"Fernando is a solutions-driven changemaker who's spent more
than 30 years illuminating critical issues that impact the welfare
of our planet," said Jill
Tiefenthaler, CEO of the National Geographic Society.
"His work in South America
enhances protections for endangered wildlife and supports
sustainable practices for the betterment of local communities. The
Society is extraordinarily proud to name Fernando the 2024 Rolex
National Geographic Explorer of the Year as a testament to the
positive, profound difference he continues to make for our planet
and those who call it home."
Trujillo has had a long history with the Society, receiving his
first grant in 2008 to study the abundance of the Amazonian river
dolphins in Brazil and
Peru. He is currently a lead
Explorer on the National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet
Amazon Expedition, a comprehensive, multi-year, scientific and
storytelling exploration of the Amazon River basin from the Andes
to the Atlantic. He serves as a mentor to National Geographic Young
Explorers and has hosted the Society's live streamed Spanish
language Explorer Classroom sessions.
Trujillo has spent decades studying aquatic wildlife with
special attention to the Amazonian pink river dolphin in
South America. His deep connection
with the species earned him the nickname "omacha." In Tikuna
Indigenous culture, omacha can transform into a man to protect the
other dolphins from harm. Trujillo embodies this spirit in his
tireless efforts to build a deeper understanding and appreciation
for river dolphins among the local community. He works with
community leaders, veterinarians and local scientists to track the
dolphins' migratory patterns and conduct health assessments of this
iconic species as a barometer for river health.
"As the Amazonia experiences some of the most extreme climate
phenomena in decades, it is critical to shine a spotlight on this
issue, conduct deeper research and generate solutions to protect
this magnificent region," says Trujillo. "Through this award, the
Society is providing a megaphone for me to reach a global audience
and encourage them to learn more and to care about the changes
impacting our planet."
Over his career, Trujillo has worked with local and national
governments to increase fishery agreements, enhance protection of
wetlands, and led tree planting initiatives to revitalize
ecosystems deeply impacted by climate and environmental change. He
has facilitated groundbreaking regional and international
collaborations to protect dolphins and their rivers, including a
river dolphin Conservation Management Plan signed by the
governments of Brazil,
Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
and Venezuela during the
International Whaling Commission convening. In October 2023, along with fellow National
Geographic Explorers Maria Jimena Valderrama and Mariana Frias, Trujillo spearheaded
the signing of the first-of-its-kind global declaration for
the protection of river dolphins.
Trujillo is a founding member of the Fundación Omacha,
reflecting his nickname, the South American based nonprofit creates
sustainable conservation strategies that enhance protection of
surrounding forests, rivers, lakes, and wildlife while still
sustaining the livelihood of the local communities.
ABOUT PERPETUAL PLANET EXPEDITIONS
The National Geographic Perpetual Planet Expeditions program, a
long-standing collaboration with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet
Initiative, supports expeditions to explore the planet's most
critical environments. By harnessing world-renowned scientific
expertise and cutting-edge technology that reveal new insights
about the systems that are vital to life on Earth, these
expeditions help scientists, decision-makers, and local communities
plan for and find solutions to the impacts of climate and
environmental change while illuminating the wonder of our world
through impactful storytelling.
ABOUT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit
organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education
and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.
Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of
exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas,
providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven
continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education
offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through
signature experiences, stories and content. To learn more,
visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us
on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
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SOURCE National Geographic Society