Even in the midst of Purdue University’s Fall Break, Purdue students, staff and faculty turned-out to hear from an internationally recognized conservation leader who shared insights learned through her leading role in efforts to promote jaguar conservation in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Dr. Yara Barros, a biologist with a master’s and PhD in Zoology from São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Brazil gave a special presentation at Lynn Hall hosted by the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine Tuesday, October 14.
Dr. Barros serves as the executive coordinator of the Jaguars of Iguaçu Project, based at Iguaçu National Park in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil. She also is the executive coordinator of Brazil’s National Action Plan for the Conservation of Big Cats. Over the years, she has worked on projects to save some of Brazil’s rarest birds, like the Spix’s Macaw, and has led major conservation efforts in zoos, national parks, and government agencies.
Dr. Barros has been recognized worldwide with awards and honors, including this year’s Whitley Award, which is the flagship prize of the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) – a fundraising and grant-giving nature conservation charity. Additionally, just last week, Dr. Barros received a prestigious WINGS Women of Discovery Fellowship, which recognizes extraordinary women making significant contributions to world knowledge and science through exploration. She was honored at the WINGS Women of Discovery Awards Gala on October 9 in New York City and, in conjunction with her travel plans, accepted the College of Veterinary Medicine’s invitation to come to Purdue to speak at Lynn Hall while she was in the U.S.
The honors Dr. Barros has received pay tribute to her exceptional contributions to biodiversity protection and conservation leadership. In addition, she is a prolific author of scientific articles, books, and public outreach works on animal behavior and conservation, always connecting science with public awareness and action.
Over the last four years, Dr. Barros has welcomed Purdue DVM students to Iguaçu National Park, in partnership with a Study Abroad Program in Brazil led by Dr. Andrea Santos, PVM associate professor of veterinary clinical pathology in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology. PVM Global Engagement Director Addison Sheldon said the collaboration between Dr. Barros and Dr. Santos has provided students with invaluable opportunities to engage directly in conservation initiatives, linking classroom knowledge with real-world experience in the field.
During her talk, Dr. Barros described how the Jaguars of Iguaçu Project has become a model for collaborative conservation, combining cutting-edge science, strong community engagement, and cross-border partnerships between Brazil and Argentina. As described in her WINGS Women of Discovery Fellowship recognition, Dr. Barros regards jaguars as far more than a species—they are a symbol of resilience and a compass guiding conservation, with a deep personal connection. Her work is driven by the belief that protecting jaguars means protecting entire ecosystems and the people within them.
