IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
©IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group
Volume 27 Issue 1 Pages 1 - 57 (January 2010)
Obituaty: Paula Ayerdi (1981 - 2010)
Previous | Contents |
Next
It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Paula Ayerdi as a result of the recent earthquake in Chile. Paula was only 28 years old, a Chilean marine biologist who loved nature and the ocean more than anybody. However, it was the ocean which Paula admired and respected so much, that took her from us. She passed away on Saturday, 27th February 2010 a victim of the Tsunami which followed the earthquake. At that time she was on Juan Fernandez/Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile, where she was doing research on the Juan Fernandez lobster together with her fiancé. Since 2006 she had been working on the genetics of marine otters, as a result , she travelled most of the Chilean coast collecting samples for the marine otter genetics research.
She was a member of Chinchimen (NGO), working for marine otter and coastal marine conservation. Furthermore, she was a key person in the collection of valuable samples for a Wildlife DNA Bank in Chile. Last year Paulav began working on kelp ecology and genetics, in charge of the field work. Not only was she a great scientist, she was also a mentor to many students who learned about science and life in general from her. Paula also dedicated her time to make people change their attitude and do small daily things to save our environment, such as recycling. She loved scuba diving but also taking care of her cactii and other plants. She left behind her fiancé who is also a marine biologist, family, many friends who loved her so much and a Chilean fauna who needed her enthusiasm, dedication, intelligence, and passion.
Paula (Poli), there are no words to express how much we will miss you…
Juliana Vianna and Gonzalo Medina
I am sure that I speak for the whole OSG family in passing the Group’s condolences to Paula’s fiancée, family and colleagues. (Jim Conroy – Chair IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group