Conservation in Action: Ursula Valdez

I am Ursula Valdez, a Peruvian ecologist with a major interest in bird ecology. The focus of my research is raptor ecology.

While working on my Biology degree at the Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina in Lima, Peru I had the opportunity to take many field trips and discover the wonders of biological diversity and the tropical rainforest. After graduation, I worked for a few years collecting information about biodiversity and the natural protected areas in Peru, and assisted others on different field projects. Then I moved to the U.S. to work on a Master’s degree in Zoology at North Carolina State University where I studied the composition of the raptor communities in Manu National Park in Peru. After I obtained my Master’s degree I worked in bird ecology and raptor research in the U.S. and Europe, but my fascination for tropical ecosystems brought me back to the tropics – first teaching tropical ecology in Costa Rica and then studying the little-known black-and-chestnut eagle in a mountain forest of Peru. From there I went to Panama as a field biologist and leader of the Neotropical Environmental Education Program of The Peregrine Fund, which it is focused primarily on the magnificent harpy eagles and other neotropical raptors.

Currently, I am a PhD candidate in Ecology and Evolution at the University of Washington in Seattle. For my dissertation I am researching the ecology of the elusive forest-falcons that live in the Amazon rainforest. I spend at least half of the year in Peru, conducting my field research at the Los Amigos River Biological Station. One of the things I love the most about my work is it gives me the opportunity to maintain the connection between the academic world and the organisms that fascinate me. Living in the middle of Amazonian rainforest for many months is an amazing experience, not only for finding the answers to our scientific questions, but also because we can directly appreciate the importance of nature in human life. I am convinced that being a field ecologist is more of a lifestyle than a job. It makes one notice all those connections that exist between nature and humans and makes one feel part of the ecosystem.

What has been the most memorable moment or event in your career?

One of my best memories is the first time I saw a falcon hunting. I was observing a laughing falcon perched above a dry creek in the northwestern dry forest in Peru. I won’t ever forget the moment the falcon swooped across the other side of the creek and descended to the ground through some low but dense vegetation. As I slowly approached the spot, I could hear some vigorous flapping. I made it to about two meters from the bird which was perched in a low branch and with a coral snake in its beak. For a few minutes I observed how it ate the snake, and all this time I did not move – I guess not even breathing so the bird wouldn’t fly away. I think that is the day I decided I would become a raptor researcher.

Who or what has been a major inspiration to you?

Since I was a kid, my father showed me that it was fun to explore nature and respect it. I went with my parents and siblings on many camping trips all over my country. At every opportunity, we were looking at insects, plants, birds and my dad always had a cool story about everything. He is an engineer, but he always says that I became the biologist he wanted to be when he was a kid.

In your opinion what is the biggest challenge facing the world (or your part of the world) today?

The dramatic increase of the human population and the resulting excessive demand for natural resources has caused habitat loss in the tropics and the rest of the world. Additionally, how do we make those millions of humans understand that we are part of nature and that we need to take care of it for our species’ survival?

What message would you like to pass on to others and particularly young people considering a career in conservation?

Follow your heart and passion when it comes to deciding what you want to do for a living, and you will enjoy your job. However, remember that working for conservation is such a big challenge and not an easy path; do not lose hope, since any small achievement, if spread among more supportive people, will mean a lot over time for the future of the world.