Punta San Juan

Punta San Juan. a conservation story. For the past 25 years I have dedicated myself to photographing nature and, in particular, marine ecosystems with the hope of creating images capable of telling stories that encourage reflections on the urgency of conserving our planet, and that allow people to connect empathetically with the animal world. , , In 2014 I got to know the Punta San Juan Reserve and found a spectacular source of inspiration, because it is a place that has all the necessary components to tell a unique and exciting story, which contributes to redouble efforts for its preservation, I found a haven for animal life privileged by its location and abundance, the drama and passion implicit in the work of a group of scientists, park rangers and local and international organizations that for decades have struggled to care for a small reserve facing the pressures of urban growth, pollution and commercial interests. It was an exceptional opportunity to amplify these efforts through a book and an exhibition that would consolidate a unique and exemplary conservation story on the Peruvian coast. , , Each of the field visits; the dozens of dives in the macroalgae forests that surround the reserve; the thousands of shots of my camera amidst clouds of dust, guano and feathers; the night walks under starry skies and the countless hours inside handcrafted hideouts that provided my team and me with an unparalleled window to contemplate animal behaviors and contributed to the endless talks aimed to understand the dynamics of this ecosystem and thus create the common thread for his conservation story. , , This story has been told thanks to the participation of its main actors and the funding of organizations committed to this work and its purpose. Therefore, it is the actors of this conservation story themselves who complement my images with texts that reflect their experiences, knowledge, concerns and challenges to sustain the Punta San Juan Reserve. , , Chicago Zoological Society (CZS), has given support to this undertaking, completing the necessary framework that made this book viable. For over 20 years, the Punta San Juan Consortium, composed of five partner zoological organizations, that includes CZS, have assumed a major commitment in the protection of this reserve. , , By providing resources to the Punta San Juan Program, the Consortium makes it possible to have a team of dedicated Peruvian biologists conducting year round surveillance, monitoring and research on site. This group actively collaborates with local communities and government stakeholders with conservation of Punto San Juan being the number one priority. I am sure that this work will contribute to the future subsistence of Punta San Juan and, hopefully, it will also serve as an inspiration to create and protect more reserves in Peru and on our planet.