Meet Our Staff

Jose-Ignacio (Pepe) Rojas-Moscoso was born and raised in Lima, Peru’s capital city. From an early age, he was attracted to everything that crawled, ran, leaped or flew. He developed a deep love for nature, wildlife and outdoor activities and every time he had a chance, he went to the wilderness. His mother always encouraged him to pursue his passion.

After finishing high school, Pepe started studying forestry with an orientation towards wildlife. While at the university, Pepe joined the Tambopata Macaw Project team working in one of the most pristine rainforests of the world. He worked for the project for several years studying macaws and reintroduction techniques. As part of this project, he also spent six months in the savannas of Beni, Bolivia, recording data for the first time on the reproductive behaviors of the Blue-throated macaw.

In 1996, Pepe moved full time to the Tambopata Research Center where his many tasks have included: serving as a guide, conducting workshops with high school students from Peru and the USA, working with filmmakers and wildlife photographers and training guides in macaw interpretation activities, tree climbing and bird watching techniques. His main passion is for birds and he is very knowledgeable with the avian fauna of the rainforest, the high Andes, and coastal Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. Pepe also is very concerned with conservation and part of his work involves training local people as guides.