Rubén Portas
“Working in the field surrounded by wildlife is my passion and my every-day drive. I aim to contribute with my work to a better understanding of the functioning of ecosystems and the interactions between species and their habitats to establish more effective science-based conservation practices for cheetahs.”
Rubén Portas is a research assistant in the Cheetah Research Project. He runs in collaboration with Namibian partners, including the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) a country-wide cheetah survey involving capture, immobilization, sampling, GPS collaring, aerial radio-tracking and extensive camera trapping of free-ranging cheetahs.
Rubén works in these sub-projects in the CRP
Professional experience
Since 2013, large expertise in fieldwork and data collection under challenging conditions in remote study areas. Participation in captures and surveys of large carnivores and other studies involving a number of taxa in several countries and across three continents. Practical and problem-solving mindset with good communication skills to share science within the public and stakeholder involvement. Genuine interest in ornithology, ecology and how human actions impact our surrounding nature.
Education
2020 Student of Masters by Research at the Namibia University of Science and Technology linked to the Sciona Project. Thesis title: Spatial ecology, density and distribution of male cheetah Acinonyx jubatus in the Namib Desert
2015-2019 BSc of Natural Resources Management (Nature Conservation), Namibia University of Science and Technology. BSc thesis: Leopard Panthera pardus camera trap survey in the south of Khaudum National Park and in the Lower Hoanib River
2016 Certificate of Wildlife Para-Professional Veterinarian from the Namibian Veterinary Council
2002-2004 Diploma in Natural Resources and Landscape Management, Centre of Agro-forestry Education and Training of Lourizan, Pontevedra (Spain)