Rosamira Guillen of Proyecto Tití has been honored with the Whitley Award, a major recognition for her work conserving the endangered cotton-top tamarin.
The cotton-top tamarin is threatened by habitat destruction and hunting for the illegal pet trade but, under Rosamira’s leadership, Proyecto Tití has protected more than 1,700 hectares of forest and created education programs that increase awareness and discourage families from keeping exotic pets.
The Whitley Fund for Nature provides awards and grants to the world’s most dynamic conservation leaders, supporting projects that are founded on good science, community involvement and pragmatism. The Award is given to passionate individuals who can create long-lasting conservation impacts on the ground.
The Whitley Fund for Nature has put together a fantastic video about Rosamira’s work narrated by Sir David Attenborough, which can be viewed below.
Sir Attenborough, who is a Trustee of the Whitley Fund for Nature, said, “Whitley Award winners are simply exceptional people – passionate individuals who are committed to achieving positive environmental impact and long-term conservation and community benefits.”
“With the support of the Whitley Award, we will be able to do much more for the cotton-top tamarins,” said Rosamira. “We’ll be able to take our work into other areas where cotton-tops still exist in the wild, protect more forests, educate more kids, get them really excited about conservation, and give more people opportunities to make a sustainable living.”
Congratulations to Rosamira and the rest of the Proyecto Tití team for this much-deserved recognition and all of their impactful work.