Peruvian conservationists receive international awards for Amazon protection

Peruvian conservationists and scientists have received prestigious international recognition for their efforts to protect the Amazon rainforest.

Biochemist and conservationist Rosa Vásquez Espinoza was named a recipient of the 2026 Rolex Awards. Her work focuses on stingless bees, establishing a scientific link between Amazonian deforestation and the decline of these pollinators. The award will support the expansion of protected habitat corridors led by indigenous communities.

Additionally, the Carlos Ponce del Prado 2026 Conservation Award recognized several individuals for forest defense against illegal mining and logging. Among the honorees are Abner Guevara Papa, a park ranger at the Tambopata National Reserve who has served for nearly two decades, and the head of the Yaguas National Park. Their work involves surveillance, community collaboration, and the use of technology like drones to monitor protected areas.