Camera Traps

In 2006 Ecuadorian conservationist Santiago Espinosa received a Russell E. Train Fellowship from WWF’s Education for Nature Program (EFN) to conduct research in pursuit of his PhD degree in wildlife ecology at the University of Florida, Gainesville. His research looks at the impact of road development and bush meat extraction on jaguar populations in Yasuní National Park in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Santiago’s research involves spending long periods of time in the Amazonian rainforest, working with local communities to learn about their hunting practices and recording jaguar activity using strategically placed camera traps. The photos seen here highlight the spectacular and wide variety of wildlife that lives in Yasuní National Park. With the generous support of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Santiago and nearly 100 other researchers have received support from EFN to pursue graduate studies and conduct research in the Amazon. With their Russell E. Train Fellowships, these dedicated conservationists are ensuring that endangered species, threatened habitats, and native communities will continue to thrive in the world’s largest tropical rain forest and river basin.