Ana Lucía Encinas
Director of Communications
Our Team
Bolivian and foreign conservationists, veterinarians, biologists and sanctuary administrators — the people behind CIWY.
- 25PeopleBoard, headquarters and both sanctuaries
- 30+YearsOf Wildlife Protection & Conservation
- 2SanctuariesProtecting Rescued Wildlife
The Founder
Tania ‘Nena’ Baltazar Lugones President & Founder
Tania ‘Nena’ Baltazar Lugones was born in the Yungas region of La Paz. She studied biology at the University of La Paz when, in 1992, she founded CIWY together with other activists to carry out activities in defence of the environment and wildlife. She has made CIWY’s mission the work of her life, having dedicated herself to the organisation since she was 18 years old. Her commitment to CIWY and her love for animals make her an inspiring leader for the organisation.
In 1996, Nena, Juan Carlos Antezana and Milka Gutiérrez founded the first wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia for the care of animals rescued from illegal trafficking. Nena spent fourteen years as General Director of Parque Machía and was instrumental in the expansion of CIWY in later years. In 2010 she was elected president, her current position.
In 1997 she received the Environmental Leadership Award from the Junior Chamber of La Paz, for her work leading youth in environmentalism.
In 1998 she received the Women’s Creativity in Rural Life Award from the Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF) for her environmental work. She is the youngest woman to receive a WWSF award.
“Quote to follow — why she started CIWY, in Nena’s words.”
- 1992Founds CIWY together with other activists
- 1996Co-founds Bolivia’s first wildlife sanctuary, Parque Machía
- 1997Environmental Leadership Award, Junior Chamber of La Paz
- 1998Women’s Creativity in Rural Life Award (WWSF) — the youngest woman to receive it
- 2010Elected president of CIWY
Staff Headquarters
Pilar Rodríguez García
Director of Finance
Dr. Verónica Gómez Tola, DVM
Advisor to CIWY
Parque Ambue Ari
Irene Gonzáles
Ambue Ari Director
Cléo Swysen
Feline Coordinator
Georgia Brooks
Administrator
Silvia Juliana Valbuena
Head Veterinarian
Iván Márquez
Biologist
Wilber ‘Oso’ Antonio Rasguido
Construction Coordinator
Cándido Aguape
Construction
Gonzalo Choque
Howler Monkey Coordinator
Parque Jacj Cuisi
Karen Daniela Gallinate
Administrator
Claire Gilant
Primate Responsible
Marjolaine Blanc
Capuchin Monkey Coordinator
Juan Cruz
Primate Coordinator
Paula Martinez
Research Technician
Lucas Locatelli
Animal Caretaker
Luis Cartagena
Agroforestry
Elmer Nahui
Construction
The wider CIWY family
Volunteers from around the world contribute to the daily operations of the sanctuaries.
Board of Directors
All members of the CIWY Board of Directors have demonstrated a great commitment to the organisation and to the care of the environment and protection of fauna and flora. Members are elected for five-year periods and meet annually to evaluate CIWY’s work and to plan future strategies.
Tania ‘Nena’ Baltazar Lugones
President
President & Founder, CIWY
Ariadna Alejandra Crispín
Vice President
Veterinarian and Wildlife Specialist
Dr. Jara Cano Vitores
Planning Secretary
Veterinarian and Wildlife Specialist
Rusber Jiménez Zurita
Secretary of Education
Student of Veterinary Medicine, UMSS
Mercedes Baptista
Treasurer
Jonathan Cassidy
Secretary of International Relations
Managing Director of Quest Overseas
Become Part of the Team
From 15 nights
Volunteer with us
Volunteering with CIWY is hard work but incredibly rewarding. You’ll live close to nature in the Amazon rainforest, care for rescued wildlife, and support their rehabilitation and well-being.
Careers
Work with us
We don’t just need zoologists, biologists and vets, but also publicists, administrative staff, accountants, tradesmen and experts in construction.
