Erika Cuellar

Erika Cuéllar Soto (born in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 1978), is a Bolivian biologist recognized as the guardian of the Gran Chaco region of South America, where she has worked to promote and conserve this ecosystem that covers regions of Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil.

Thanks to Cuéllar's efforts, their hunting has become prohibited, the repopulation of genetically isolated herds is being explored and attempts are being made to recover their habitat, which had been invaded by free-range cattle and invasive plants.

Communities nominate participants for the 800-hour course that ranges from basic biology, mathematics, and other sciences to map production, computer and GPS use, research project design, data collection, and presentation of results.

They make bird and mammal census reports, display and analyze data from cameras and radio tracking devices.

[5]In 2016, Cuéllar was part of the team that made the first recorded sightings of the Sekeetamys calurus rodent (Bushy-tailed Jird) in the territory of southern Oman, in western Asia.