Carlos Drews was born in Bogotá (Colombia), and currently lives in Switzerland. He holds a doctorate in zoology from the University of Cambridge. He directs the Global Species Program, for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and has made a special study of the behaviour of fauna in Africa and Latin America. He worked for the International Institute for Wildlife Conservation and Management, at the National University of Costa Rica.
He has written numerous publications on biodiversity and animal behaviour, and guides, such as Livelihoods, Community Well-Being, and Species Conservation (2006), dealing with marine fauna, which he wrote with Felipe Montoya. He has been the WWF’s regional coordinator for the conservation of sea turtles for Latin America and the Caribbean, and promoted the work of WWF Marina in Latin America until 2009, which included the conservation of marine turtles, whales and dolphins, fishing and marine habitats.
Dr Drews’ current work focuses on issues of major global impact, such as efforts to combat crimes against wildlife, the loss of habitats, conflict between humans and wildlife, and the consequences of climate change. Currently, he heads WWF’s work to prevent the extinction of elephants, rhinos, large apes, pandas, polar bears, tigers, sea turtles and cetaceans.
LiverdPress Award 2015
Carlos Drews received the 2015 LiverdPress Award for his tireless efforts to study, preserve and protect the animal species that surround us, which are essential because we live in the same world; to denounce the persecution, slaughter and illegal trafficking of wildlife and lead the battle to raise awareness of the need to preserve it, increase our knowledge of it, endeavouring to ensure that mankind enjoys coexisting with these wonderful beings, and realises that, if they become extinct, an important part of humanity is also lost.