Profesor David Macdonald

Professor David Macdonald and Professor Cristian Bonacic.

(Oxford University)

WildCRU-Oxford University

Fauna Australis Director and Founder

Professor Cristian Bonacic

Director y fundador (Director and Founder).

Email: bona@uc.cl

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2175-076X

Pontifical Catholic University of Chile

Mr. Jerry Laker

Director of the Fauna Australis field station at Lodge KodKod.

About The Director (Professor Cristian Bonacic)

I am Dr. Cristian Bonacic (DVM, MSc, PhD), founding director of the Fauna Australis Laboratory since 2001, a leading research group in applied conservation within the Department of Ecosystems and Environment at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

I earned my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Chile, graduating with distinction, and an MSc in Wildlife Management and Control from the University of Reading, England, also with distinction (1995–1996). I completed my PhD in Zoology at Oxford, England (1996–2000). My experience at the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit in Oxford inspired me to establish my research group in Chile. I also lead the Department of Ecosystems and Environment at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, where I oversee the graduate program in Wildlife Conservation and Management within the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry.

I have received several awards and prestigious grants from European, British, U.S., and Chilean agencies, which have enabled me to conduct research and collaborate on conservation efforts across South America. I maintain strong networks with scientists and conservationists in the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Peru, and the United States. In 2007, I received the prestigious Whitley Honourable Mention for my efforts in conservation and animal welfare in the protection of the vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) in the Andes, presented by HRH Princess Anne. In 2000, I was honored with the first Llama Award from the South American Camelid Medicine Association at The Ohio State University.

I have been an integral part of the Wildlife Conservation Alliance, an adjunct researcher at CERC at Columbia University, and at the Center for Economy and Society (CEES). I also served as Vice President of the Chilean Wildlife Veterinarians Association and as a founding member of the Ecological Society of Chile, the IUCN Deer Specialist Group, and the Society for Conservation Biology, among others.

My contributions include an article in Science (Globalization in Conservation) and scientific work across several disciplines, including Conservation Biology, Biological Conservation, and Animal Welfare. I have published book chapters with major international publishers and written works on South American camelids, including a chapter in the UFAW Farm Animal Welfare Handbook (Wiley) and two editions of the Encyclopedia of Mammals (Blackwell). I am also a co-author of Wild Cats of America and the lead author of several key publications in conservation.

I developed software—Live Andes (Live-Andes.org)—to share data and spatial analyses of endangered species, which is now registered by the university.

Since 2012, I have collaborated with Dr. Adrian Treves at the Nelson Institute. In 2012, I hosted his Fulbright Commission Senior Specialist grant and have co-authored manuscripts with him that are currently under review. In 2015, I was appointed as a tenured full professor and took a sabbatical year at the Nelson Institute, funded by the Tinker Foundation. The following year, I received an award for my contributions to Veterinary Science from the Chilean College of Veterinarians. I currently serve on the board of the Asia-Pacific Network for Forestry Education, act as Chile’s contact person for the Ecosecurity Network, and coordinate the upcoming International Biodiversity Network for Conservation Innovation.

My commitment to conservation and wildlife extends beyond academia and research. I have continually engaged in collaborations that span continents and cultures, aiming to improve our understanding and protection of the natural world. Through my work, I seek to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical conservation efforts, ensuring that our findings translate into tangible benefits for ecosystems and their inhabitants.

Academic trajectory: Chair of Biodiversity and Sustainability (CMPC-UC Chile)

Education (DVM, MSc, DPhil Oxon)

• Ph.D. in Zoology, Oxford University, England (2000).
• MSc in Wildlife Management and Control, University of Reading, England (1996).
• DVM, University of Chile (1991).
• Alumni and member of The Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), Oxford.
• Awarded the Whitley Commendation for the sustainable use of the vicuña in the Andes.
• Awarded the Chilean Veterinary College award for contribution to science 
• The Lama Award of the American Association of SACs.
• Chair Professor of Biodiversity and Sustainability, Department of Ecosystems and The Environment, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
• Head of Department (2008-2010 and 2016-2018).
• Academic committees: Member (founder) of the Centre for Local Development,
• Founder member of the College of Science and Technology,
• Member of the committee for The Network of Natural Laboratories,
• Founder member of the academic committee for The School of Veterinary Medicine,
• Coordinator of the MSc (founder) in natural resources.
• Founder and director of The Fauna Australis Wildlife Laboratory,
• Board member of Qualitas UC (natural resources accreditation board)
• Board Member of the National Red List Committee (representing Academia).
• Collaborated with international academic institutions across multiple continents (IBN, formerly Wildlife Trust Alliance, APFNet Mechanism for Forest Education, Ness Ecosecurity Network), IUCN SSC, and two specialist groups.
• Tinker Visiting Professor (2015/2016), The Nelson Institute.
• Adjunct Professor, Columbia University (2001/2015).

Academic activities