María Igual Beltrán

Principal Investigator - Mangrove Finch Project

Maria joined the Charles Darwin Foundation in September 2024, bringing her extensive experience in bird conservation. Originally from Spain, she has worked for over six years on international projects in Spain, Colombia, France, French Polynesia and Costa Rica.

With a degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Valencia and a master's degree in Ecology and Biodiversity Management from the University of Montpellier, Maria has specialized in the protection of endemic and threatened birds in Pacific island ecosystems. She has led projects to preserve critically endangered species, highlighting her work in managing a population of only four breeding pairs, where she identified avian malaria as a new critical threat and initiated a captive breeding project.

Her ability to work with international teams and collaborate with local communities has been key to the success of her initiatives. As the coordinator of the Mangrove Finch recovery project, her goal is to apply effective management strategies and research to improve the conservation status of this species and contribute to the Foundation's success in preserving biodiversity.