Claudio Ahumada Sanhueza
Location: Panquehue, San Felipe, Chile
Background: With seven years of dedication to wildlife rehabilitation – two years working and five volunteering – Claudio Ahumada Sanhueza has cultivated extensive expertise particularly in the fields of mammal and avian care. He holds a position at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Unit of Andrés Bello University, where he combines his roles as a veterinarian and an educator.
Specializations:
Claudio’s work spans across various aspects of wildlife care but shines particularly in avian rehabilitation where he integrates animal welfare, handling, and medical treatment including advanced pharmacotherapy and wound management. His mammalian expertise is currently pivoted towards fieldwork and scientific research, focusing notably on species such as the Leopardus genus and direct conservation efforts for the colocolo cat (Leopardus colocola) and the guanaco (Lama guanicoe).
Conservation Efforts:
Claudio is deeply involved in practical conservation initiatives. He collaborates with the Colocolo Project, an NGO dedicated to researching and conserving the colocolo cat in central Chile. His work here includes mitigating conflicts between local wildlife and agricultural interests by improving poultry husbandry practices and introducing predator-resistant breeds of chicken. Additionally, he is active in the Wanaku Akunkawa project, which involves monitoring guanaco populations and raising awareness of their ecological and cultural importance.
Outreach and Education:
Claudio manages the social media for the Wildlife Rehabilitation Unit, creating content that educates and engages the public on issues of wildlife admission, rehabilitation processes, and species-specific information. His outreach extends to his personal social media page, @rehabilitaciondefaunasilvestre, which aims to raise public awareness about wildlife rehabilitation and conservation centers globally.
Vision for the future:
Claudio is passionate about expanding his influence and knowledge through continued education and networking with fellow researchers and conservationists. He aspires to organize a conference on wildlife rehabilitation, leveraging the insights and connections he has gained to foster more robust conservation actions.
Impact:
Through his multifaceted roles, Claudio has made significant strides in both educating the public and engaging with policy makers to promote wildlife conservation. His efforts have not only enhanced community knowledge and involvement but have also inspired future generations to participate in and advocate for biodiversity conservation.
IWRC Involvement:
An active member through the International Membership Initiative, Claudio values IWRC’s focus on mitigating human-wildlife conflicts as a critical aspect of conservation.
Summary:
Claudio’s commitment to wildlife rehabilitation and conservation exemplifies the impact that dedicated individuals can have on environmental preservation and community education. His work and ongoing projects continue to inspire and make tangible differences in the regions he serves.
Are you passionate about wildlife conservation and rehabilitation? Consider becoming a member of the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC):
https://theiwrc.org/product-category/membership/
As a member of the IWRC, you’ll have access to a wealth of resources and support!
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