Ramiro Ovejero

Dr. Ramiro J. A. Ovejero Aguilar is an accomplished wildlife ecologist and conservation biologist specializing in the ecology, stress physiology, and sustainable management of South American camelids, particularly the guanaco (Lama guanicoe). He currently serves as an Associate Researcher at the Ungulate Ecology Laboratory (HEB LAB), University of Montana (USA), and holds a dual affiliation as a Researcher at the Neotropical Biodiversity Institute (IBN-CONICET-CT-NOA-SUR-UNT) in Argentina. His work bridges ecological science, conservation policy, and community-driven solutions to promote coexistence between wildlife and human activities.

Research and Conservation Impact
Dr. Ovejero’s research focuses on understanding how environmental and anthropogenic stressors influence wildlife physiology, behavior, and population dynamics. A landmark achievement includes his leadership in securing the inclusion of the guanaco in Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) in 2024, a critical step for transboundary conservation efforts. As an IUCN South American Camelids Specialist Group member, he has spearheaded initiatives such as the National Management Plan for Guanaco Sustainable Use, integrating animal welfare protocols, wildlife-friendly certifications, and cooperativism to support rural livelihoods in Patagonia. His projects, funded by organizations like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Argentina’s FONCyT, emphasize capacity-building for sustainable wildlife use and habitat connectivity.

Academic Background
Dr. Ovejero earned his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the National University of Tucumán (UNT) in 2012, investigating cortisol variations in guanacos and their implications for conservation. He holds dual degrees in Agronomy (EAS-UNT, 1998) and Biological Sciences/Zoology (UNT, 2004). His postdoctoral training included stress ecology at the Austral University of Chile (FONDECYT-CONICYT) and strategic research at CONICET.

Leadership and Collaborations
A global advocate for ungulate conservation, Dr. Ovejero directs the South American Node of the Global Initiative on Ungulate Migration (GIUM-CMS). He collaborates extensively across disciplines, contributing to interdisciplinary projects on landscape fragmentation, counterurbanization, and rewilding. His work is published in high-impact journals such as Science, Biological Conservation, and PLOS ONE, and he co-edited the Springer volume Guanacos and People in Patagonia.

Awards and Recognition
His contributions have been recognized with awards such as the SAREM “Mammal Ecology-Fernando Kravets” Award (2012) and competitive grants from the Wildlife Conservation Society and Sigma Xi. He actively mentors early-career scientists and engages in science communication, notably through the Panorama Solutions platform, where he highlights community-based strategies for sustainable land use.

Current Focus
Dr. Ovejero continues to advance non-invasive monitoring techniques for wildlife health, promote transboundary migration corridors, and foster international partnerships to address biodiversity loss in the Southern Cone. His work exemplifies a commitment to integrating ecological research with actionable solutions for a sustainable future.

For more details, visit his ResearchGate or Google Scholar profiles.