Dr José TAVARES

Director, Vulture Conservation Foundation

José Tavares is a biologist with a life-long vocation & action in the field of nature conservation. After doing his university in Lisbon, he went on to the UK to do a PhD on ornithology. He then worked for the Portuguese National Park Service, and spent 12 years at the UK´s Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). 

At the VCF since February 2013, José has been developing the VCF into a sustainable, effective, leading organization securing the protection of vultures and their habitats.  The VCF is now involved in 10+ major vulture conservation projects across Europe, has co-coordinated the CMS´ (Convention for Migratory Species) Vulture Multi-Species Action Plan, and is coordinating the Bearded Vulture captive-breeding and reintroduction projects in Europe – some of the most successful wildlife comeback stories of our times.