In recent years, global crises involving species loss, habitat degradation, health, and climate change are fundamentally altering life on the planet, from the high Andean deserts to the ocean depths, and from the most remote populations to the most densely populated cities. That is why we have adopted the “One Health” approach proposed by the United Nations and other international organizations, which comprehensively links the health of people, species, and the environment.

The emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases—those that originate in animals and are transmitted to humans—have been exacerbated in the last century by increased contact between humans and animals, including a growing number of species to which humans are exposed because of advancing development frontiers. Illegal hunting and trade in wildlife intensifies human contact with wild animals and promotes the spread of disease. Another factor that increases this risk is the alteration of natural dynamics through deforestation or ecosystem degradation, a situation exacerbated by climate change.

Implementing the One Health approach to prevent these diseases requires interdisciplinary and participatory work in ecosystem surveillance, monitoring, and management, as well as in species and habitat conservation. This must be done with a future-oriented perspective and under equity principles that respect the human rights of the communities involved.

How do we work?

• We develop conservation projects with the One Health approach, seeking to comprehensively improve the health of animals, ecosystems, and people.
• We monitor sentinel species, vulnerable species, and key areas for ecosystem integrity. In particular, we monitor species affected by diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) to record the impact on their populations, track the potential development of the virus, and propose management recommendations to the authorities.
• We work to prevent wildlife trafficking, collaborating in the training of security forces that carry out border control, inspection, and surveillance, among other actions.
• We consult international experts, which allows us to share experiences and learn from them.
• We collaborate with climate change experts to identify particularly vulnerable species and habitats and plan actions to improve their resilience to climate and health risks.
• We disseminate scientific information through various communication channels and promote educational activities to raise awareness about the prevention of zoonotic diseases and nature conservation.