THE WORK OF RAQUEL VASCONCELOS ON THE CONSERVATION OF THE DRAGON BLOOD TREE’S GECKO HAS BEEN HIGHLIGHTED IN THE 2014 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MOHAMED BIN ZAYED SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND

In 2013, CIBIO-InBIO researcher Raquel Vasconcelos was granted the support of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund to develop a project on the conservation of the Dragon Blood Tree’s Gecko (Hemidactylus dracaenacolus), a species which can be seen as a hallmark of Socotra, an island belonging to the Socotra Archipelago, Yemen, classified in 2008 as a UNESCO world natural heritage site, and one of the most remarkable and exquisite hotspots of biodiversity in the world.

Now, upon its conclusion last year, the Fund decided to highlight the work carried out by the researcher, by opening its 2014 Annual Report, a stunning booklet, elegantly titled “Passionate People, Purposeful Projects” with an interview of Raquel. Browsing pages 14 to 19, you will encounter an overview of the researcher’s personal and professional profile and have the chance to get acquainted with the aspects that drive her motivations towards conservation and research, and which spark her curiosity about nature and the environment.

Also mentioned in this report as a grant recipient is Cândida Vale, who in 2014 received funding to develop the project Conservation Status of Addax nasomaculatus in Mauritania.