Rodolfo Werner Kinkelin, professional scientist and expert in Patagonia, will be our host and guide along our adventure, sharing with us stories and experiences of his travels across Patagonia. In addition, his experience as an explorer and guide of multicultural groups will ensure an unforgettable trip.
Rodolfo Peluffo will join us in some of our trips, guiding us throughout the Patagonian routes. His gently spirit will be a special treat for our journey.
Rodolfo Werner Kinkelin and Rodolfo Peluffo in El Calafate
At our main destinations we will meet researchers who devote their lives to the study and conservation of Patagonian wildlife and natural habitats. They will help us learn about Patagonian landscapes, species and ecosystems, and share the details of their fieldwork.
Our collaborators, all prominent Patagonian conservationists, are fluent in Spanish and English. Some also speak a third language.
Our collaborators are:
Dr. Claudio Campagna
Claudio Campagna is a prestigious specialist of the biology and conservation of marine mammals of Patagonia. When one talks about behaviour of sea lions and elephant seals in Patagonia one talks about Claudio Campagna. He graduated as a medical doctor from the University of Buenos Aires, but then, fascinated by Konrad Lorenzs work on animal behaviour, decided to follow Lorenzs steps. While conducting research on the behaviour of southern sea lions and elephant seals, he also continued his studies and obtained a Ph.D. in Biology at the University of California at Santa Cruz (CA, USA).
Claudio currently lives in Patagonia (Puerto Madryn) and works as a researcher at the Patagonian National Research Center of the National Research Council of Argentina. He also collaborates with the Wildlife Conservation Society (The New York Zoological Society) and the University of California at Santa Cruz (CA, USA). He has published numerous scientific and outreach articles, as well as two books about behaviour and ecology of marine mammals. In addition to his research work, Claudio works towards ocean conservation. His main project, Sea and Sky, aims at creating a large marine park in the Southern Ocean in order to protect the Southwest Atlantic marine ecosystem.
Veterinarian Lorenzo Sympson
Lorenzo Sympson is one of the main bird experts in Patagonia. He concentrates his research work on the biology and behaviour of black-chested buzzard-eagles and Andean condors. He participated in the re-introduction of captive bred condors in Patagonia in 1997 and 1998 as part of a local program towards the conservation of these emblematic birds.
From a British family, Lorenzo spent most of his childhood living on a farm in Argentina. Lorenzo choose Patagonia (Bariloche) as his home many years ago. In addition to his academic preparation as a veterinarian, he is very experienced in farming. He worked as a farm manager in many facilities of Argentina and abroad. He is founder-member of the Andean-Patagonic Naturalist Association (Sociedad Naturalista Andino Patagónica - a prestigious conservation NGO in Patagonia) and coordinates its Ornithologist Group. He also coordinates a project from the University of California at Santa Cruz (CA, USA) to study the biology and behaviour of Andean condors in Patagonia. The information obtained by Lorenzo on the status and distribution of Patagonian birds represents an important contribution to local bird conservation efforts. In summary, Lorenzos knowledge and understanding of Patagonian birds and their habitats, makes him the ideal guide for bird-watching in Patagonia.
Dr. Flavio Quintana
Flavio Quintana is a prominent biologist who studies the biology and conservation of marine birds and mammals of Patagonia. He graduated at the University of Buenos Aires and obtained a Ph.D. from the same university. He has been working on the ecology and management of marine resources in Patagonia for more than a decade. As part of his academic preparation he also conducted post-doctoral studies at the University of California at Santa Cruz (CA, USA), and spent time working at the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology in Banchory (Scotland) and the Institute of Marine Sciences in Kiel (Germany).
He currently lives in Patagonia (Puerto Madryn) and works as a researcher at the Patagonian National Research Center of the National Research Council of Argentina. He has been the recipient of many research grants from renowned institutions such as the Wildlife Conservation Society (The New York Zoological Society) and the National Geographic. Currently his main research focuses on the reproductive and foraging behaviour and migration patterns of marine birds and mammals of Patagonia. The results of his studies are an important contribution to the understanding and conservation of Patagonian marine ecosystems, from the coast to the border of the continental shelf.
Dr. Esteban Frere
Esteban Frere is a well-regarded biologist who has been studying the biology of marine birds of Patagonia for the last two decades. Born in Buenos Aires, he has been living in Patagonia (Puerto Deseado) for the last ten years. In the past his main research work has been on the biology of Magellan penguin, but in recent years he has extended his work to include cormorants and seagulls of Patagonia. He graduated and received a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Buenos Aires, although an extensive part of his academic training was obtained at the University of Washington (WA, USA).
The geographic range of his studies is very large, since Esteban has been working along the coast of Argentina, Antarctica, Chile and Peru. His research goal is to obtain the necessary scientific information for the conservation of coastal areas and the protection of South American sea birds. His studies have been supported by the Wildlife Conservation Society (The New York Zoological Society), having worked with this institution since 1986. Estebans fieldwork allows him to perfectly combine his two main life passions: the study of marine fauna and sailing on the remote southern oceans.
Biologist Alejandro Vila
Alejandro Vila is a recognized specialist on environmental education and conservation of Patagonia. Born in Buenos Aires, he has a very good understanding of Argentinas natural areas, and had chosen Patagonia (Bariloche) as his permanent residence. He graduated as a biologist from the University of Buenos Aires and is currently working towards his Ph.D. at that university.
ERROR MSG At a young age, Alejandro began traveling in Argentina as environmental guide and educator, teaching people about the importance of protecting natural areas. He moved on to conducting research on the marine birds and mammals of Patagonia. In recent years, he has been concentrating his efforts towards the conservation of two critically endangered native deer species (pampas deer and huemul - or Andean deer-). He now works in Bariloche as Program Officer for the Sub Antarctic Forest Program of Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina (associated to World Wildlife Fund). He also coordinates the Huemul Project of the Wildlife Conservation Society (The New York Zoological Society).
Biologist Mariano Sironi
Mariano Sironi participated in numerous studies on behaviour and conservation of Argentinean wildlife, including projects on Magellan penguin and southern sea lions in Patagonia. Although he was born in the Argentinean province of Cordoba, he has been working in Patagonia for many years. He graduated as a biologist from the University of Cordoba and is presently conducting his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin (USA).
Since 1995, Mariano has been working on the biology and behaviour of southern right whales in Península Valdés, collaborating with Dr. Roger Payne and Vicky Rowntree. He is co-founder of the Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas (the Argentinian chapter of the Whale Conservation Institute/Ocean Alliance, Massachusetts, USA). He has published diverse scientific and outreach articles, and participated in various nature documentaries about Patagonian cetaceans in collaboration with IMAX, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic Society. His main professional goal is to protect the southern right whale and its habitat, through research and environmental education.
Biologist Gustavo Iglesias
Gustavo Iglesias is a renowned specialist in ecology of birds from the steppe and forest of Patagonia. Also, he is an expert in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for the management and conservation of natural areas. Born in Buenos Aires, Gustavo moved to Patagonia (Bariloche) many years ago. He graduated as a biologist from the University of Buenos Aires, and is currently working towards his Ph.D. at the same university.
Over the years, Gustavo has worked in several fields, including bird research, management of protected areas, teaching, and communications. In the latter field, he conducted a radio programme aimed at promoting environmental education and nature conservation. In addition, Gustavo is a founder-member and former two-time president of the Andean-Patagonic Naturalist Association (Sociedad Naturalista Andino Patagónica - a prestigious conservation NGO in Patagonia). Currently, he works at the Patagonian Regional Office of the National Parks Administration, based in Bariloche. One of its main tasks is the development of background information (topographical maps, tourist services, zoning, fauna and flora species lists, etc.) for the elaboration of National Parks management plans in Patagonia. Gustavo is also an excellent teacher of tourism professionals, conservation agents, and children of all ages. His professional training, and especially his charming personality, makes him a perfect partner for any trip.
Claudia Manzur
Claudia Manzur is a renowned tourism professional, specializing in management of protected areas and nature conservation in Patagonia. She was born in Cipoletti, Río Negro province (Patagonia), but she has been living in Bariloche for many years. She received her first degree in tourism at the Comahue University (Neuquén, Patagonia), and later completed postgraduate studies at the University of Valencia (Spain) and Colorado State University (Fort Collins, USA).
During her university years, she had the opportunity to work at the Lanín National Park (Patagonia). This experience had a strong influence on her future career, and from that moment on, she concentrated her efforts on the management and conservation of protected areas. Currently, she works at the Patagonian Regional Office of the National Parks Administration, based in Bariloche. Her work focuses on the planning and management of tourism activities, by providing technical recommendations for best practices and reductions of environmental impact. In addition to her outstanding professional skills as our tourism expert, Claudia´s personal humanity is present in all that she does.
Dra. Andrea Premoli
Andrea Premoli is a specialist on population genetics as applied to the evolution of plant organisms and the conservation of natural resources of Patagonia. Her studies are directed towards native threatened or endangered species of Patagonia. These studies are making an important contribution to local conservation efforts.
Andrea was born in the province of Salta, one of the most beautiful areas of northern Argentina. She graduated as a biologist from the University of Buenos Aires and obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Colorado (Boulder, CO, USA). Since the late 1980s she has been living in Patagonia (Bariloche), where she works at the Department of Ecology of the Comahue University. Her studies on Patagonian flora are internationally recognized, especially her work on native tree species of Andean-Patagonic forest.
Dr. Thomas Kitzberger
Thomas Kitzberger is a notable specialist on distribution, dynamics, and conservation of Andean-Patagonic forests. His research is directed towards understanding ecological processes of forest tree species, and other plant species that live in the transition area from the forest to the steppe.
From an Austrian family, Thomas grew up in Buenos Aires. He graduated as a biologist from the University of Buenos Aires and obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado (Boulder, CO, USA). Since the late 1980s he has resided in Patagonia (Bariloche), where he works at the Department of Ecology of the Comahue University. His research on forest regeneration dynamics after fire or man induced disturbances, represents a fundamental management tool for the conservation of Patagonian forests.
María Laura Borla
María Laura Borla is an authority on ecotourism, particularly for the province of Tierra del Fuego. Her major interest is the development of sustainable tourism practices in Tierra del Fuego, an area in which she had made several important contributions.
Born in Buenos Aires, she became enchanted by Patagonia and moved to Ushuaia (the southern tip of Patagonia) in the 1980s.
María Laura graduated as a tourist guide at the Tourism Institute Perito Moreno in Buenos Aires. She completed her academic training with a Masters in Sustainable Tourism at the University of Somerset (UK), and postgraduate studies in Sustainable Development at the University of Patagonia in Ushuaia. She is an official tourist guide (in Spanish, English, French, and Portuguese) for the Tierra del Fuego National Park and Tierra del Fuego province. Currently she is working as a freelance guide for several prestigious agencies. One of her most important contributions to the sustainable tourism of Tierra del Fuego is her excellent book: Exploring Tierra del Fuego - A Manual for the Traveler at the End of the World, which she published with her colleague Marisol Vereda in 2001.
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