For his contribution to science in Bolivia, Robert Wallace, Director of the Greater Madidi-Tambopata Landscape Conservation Program of WCS in Bolivia, has received the Sydney Anderson award at the Seventh Congress of Mastozoology in sucre, Bolivia held between 13th and 15th May. The award recognizes his research in the field of Mastozoology. Robert Wallace earned his PhD from the University of Liverpool in Behavioral Ecology and Evolutionary Psychology. He has worked with WCS in the Amazonian Andes for 22 years. From 2013 Rob holds the position of Landscape Conservation Specialist of the Amazon program and supports the implementation of best practices in planning and monitoring of conservation in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.
He has led the description of two mammalian species not previously identified in Bolivia: the mountain paca and the Madidi titi monkey, a species new to science. He promoted, directed and participated in studies that provided biological and ecological information on several mammalian species, particularly jaguar, spectacled bear, spider monkey, endemic lucachis of Beni, tapirs, marsh deer and giant otter. This knowledge has been essential to assess their conservation status and guide actions to protect their populations.
His commitment to conservation in Bolivia has enabled him to promote academic and scientific dissemination activities. He co-authored more than 150 scientific articles, including the book 'Distribution, ecology and conservation of medium and large mammals of Bolivia', which compiles the information available on 116 native species recorded in the country. He has promoted several photographic exhibitions on biodiversity of northern La Paz that were received very well by the public in several Bolivian cities.
For the team of WCS in Bolivia, this is felt as a collective recognition and is an incentive to continue working on advancing wildlife science and conservation.