The YAQU PACHA Germany team
Sebastian Buhl
I was born in 1981, have a degree in communications (BAW), and work in marketing and events at Nuremberg Zoo. I came into contact with YAQU PACHA Germany in 2002 and joined the team after attending my first charity event. At YAQU PACHA, I am active at trade fairs and events, and I think it's good that not only problems are presented, but also applicable solutions, e.g., the MSC seal or fish guide. The DEADLINE campaign and the year 2048 opened my eyes and made it clear to me that it is not possible to protect individual animal species without preserving their habitat. It is important to me to be involved in an organization where I know what happens with the funds and where there is direct contact with the local people in Latin America on an equal footing. Seeing what can be achieved in Latin America with what are (from a European perspective) modest resources gives me hope and shows me how important our work here in Europe is. Population research, environmental education, conferences, exchanges of experience between Latin American scientists, and the resulting continuous successes are made possible by the work of Team Germany, and I am therefore glad to be able to contribute.
Sandra Dollhäupl
As a true Nuremberg native, I grew up with the Nuremberg Zoo, and dolphins have always fascinated me. I knew very early on what direction my professional life should take. After having the opportunity to write various theses during my school and university career, I worked as a zoo guide for many years and collaborated on a project on animal welfare in dolphins and manatees under the direction of Dr. Lorenzo von Fersen. Once you have experienced Lorenzo in person, you cannot help but become a member of Yaqu Pacha. His enthusiasm for species conservation in South America is contagious, makes perfect sense, and has visible results. I now work as a curator for the South America and Species Conservation department at Karlsruhe Zoo. The combination of creating sustainable experiences and imparting knowledge to visitors is essential, especially in today's world, in order to raise awareness for species conservation. I am happy to work here with like-minded and highly motivated people who have turned their hobby into their profession and are passionate about what they do! I can also pursue my real passion, marine mammals, by helping with events and organization at Yaqu Pacha.
Frank Eisenhuth
I was born in 1963, trained as a car mechanic, and currently work as a technical employee. I support YAQU PACHA together with the Münster team at trade fairs and events. Environmental and species protection in Latin America is very important to me. I think it's great that a small species conservation organization like YAQU PACHA can make such a big difference there. Since all employees in Germany work on a voluntary basis, there are only minimal administrative costs and most of the money raised can be used for the projects. My motto for YAQU PACHA: Protect what cannot defend itself!
Lisa-Marie Eisenhuth
I am currently a 10th grade student and help YAQU PACHA at events and trade fairs. I am with YAQU PACHA because I want to help the environment and there are lots of great people here who also want to help.
Tim Hüttner
Even as a child, I was very interested in the world of whales and dolphins. I am a biologist and have already conducted research on manatees and dolphins as part of my studies. I am currently working on my doctoral thesis on sensory perception in dolphins. Through my collaboration with Dr. von Fersen, I eventually became a member of YAQU PACHA and support YAQU PACHA at events and in the organization of projects in Germany. In our society, I have the opportunity to do something myself to help preserve marine animals that are too often threatened, such as the vaquita.
Andreas Haller
Andreas is Chief Administrative Secretary of the City of Nuremberg and a member of YAQU PACHA from the very beginning. He supports YAQU PACHA in Germany in organizing and running trade fairs such as BOOT in Düsseldorf and events such as the Streetlife Festivals in Munich and the Samba Festivals in Coburg.
Angela Haller
Angela is an administrative specialist and first came into contact with YAQU PACHA through her travels in South America. From 1997 to 2010, she served as treasurer for YAQU PACHA.
Corinna Heinke
I was born in 1984 and came to Nuremberg Zoo in 2009 through my job as an administrative secretary. Here, I not only learned more about dolphins and manatees and took them into my heart, but also became aware of YAQU PACHA. I think it's great that YAQU PACHA is actively involved in various projects directly related to animal protection and also tries to raise people's awareness of nature conservation through environmental education, thereby preserving the animals' habitat. I am delighted to be able to support such a dedicated team and thus make my small contribution to species conservation.
Sandra Isenberg
Nature and animals have always fascinated me, and I love the sea. Through my work at the Münster Dolphinarium, I got to know YAQU PACHA in 2002. Committed and motivated people, as well as important contributions to species conservation, immediately convinced me.
As a biologist and animal keeper, I had the opportunity to work with the very animals that are familiar from the YAQU PACHA projects in various zoos: bottlenose dolphins, South American sea lions, giant otters, and Amazon river dolphins. This allowed me to share interesting facts about the animals and their protection with zoo visitors every day.
I also had the opportunity to visit various YAQU PACHA projects and teams on site in South America. It was wonderful, impressive, and motivating to meet so many people who are committed to species conservation.
Sarah Kless
I work as a media designer and would like to actively support the work of YAQU PACHA because I have been fascinated by aquatic mammals since I was a child. I already implemented several projects in this area while studying media production. An internship further strengthened this interest. Since then, I have known that this animal world can only survive in the long term if its habitats are protected. At YAQU PACHA, I have found the opportunity to put this into practice.
Silke Klein
I am a biologist, but now work in risk management. A friend told me about YAQU PACHA, and I was so impressed by the concept that I decided to get involved myself by helping out at trade fairs and events. I think it's great that YAQU PACHA's projects are not limited to crowd favorites like dolphins and that the money is not wasted on a large administrative apparatus here in Germany, but can be used directly on site. If my help contributes to raising a little more money for this cause, I am very happy.
Petra Löttker
I am a biologist from Münster and have developed a deep connection to Latin America through my doctoral work in Peru and numerous subsequent professional stays. I worked in wildlife film production for many years, which gave me unique insights into the animal world. I have been a member of Yaqu Pacha for several years and am delighted to now be actively involved in information stands together with other volunteers. What I particularly appreciate about Yaqu Pacha is that the organization supports scientific projects on site and also provides concrete assistance to endangered species, such as caring for stranded dolphins. I also find it impressive that the local population is involved and that simple, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions are sought together with them. The protection of aquatic mammals in South America is particularly close to my heart—at the same time, for me, it represents the protection of species and biodiversity worldwide. It is important to me to raise awareness of this issue—including right here in Germany.
Chantal Pagel
I grew up by the sea, which is perhaps why I feel such a close connection to whales and dolphins. My practical work at the Münster Dolphinarium and my studies in environmental sciences ultimately led me to YAQU PACHA, and I am delighted that my work will enable me to contribute to the protection of endangered whale and dolphin species in the future.
Andrea Plötz
The preservation of the oceans and the protection of their inhabitants is very important to me. Through my project work for YAQU PACHA in Ecuador and Argentina, I have experienced how important it is to take action there. Raising awareness among people and working with them to develop solutions is part of our important task. As a filmmaker and presenter, I support film production and events such as charity events or the Streetlife Festival in Munich.
Henning Plückebaum
As a volunteer animal keeper at the Bielefeld animal shelter, I support animal welfare locally. At YAQU PACHA, I work as a graphic designer. I am fascinated by the strategy of tackling important goals with small steps and realistic solutions. I also appreciate the idea of not focusing exclusively on species conservation, but also promoting understanding of the environment through educational activities in order to protect it in the long term. And all this without pointing fingers. I am happy to be part of the YAQU PACHA team.
Lea Pöllmann
Even before I began studying veterinary medicine, I knew that I wanted to work to protect endangered species and preserve their habitats, and that I wanted to become a veterinarian specializing in marine mammals.
Thanks to Dr. Lorenzo von Fersen and YAQU PACHA, my dream of working with these animals became a reality. During my practical year, I was offered a position at ECOMEGA-FURG in Brazil, where I was actively involved in research and medical care for marine mammals. Working with the team there made a lasting impression on me and confirmed my intention todelve even deeper into the topics of health, disease, and rehabilitation of aquatic mammals after completing my studies. I would like to dedicate my doctoral thesis to medical research on these fascinating animals.
Jessica Püntzner
As a graphic designer at YAQU PACHA, I am responsible for designing various communication materials such as flyers, banners, and brochures. I admire the incredible commitment of YAQU PACHA and its employees to nature conservation, and I would like to do my small part to ensure that our descendants can continue to marvel at our beautiful and exciting planet.
Michael Sinder
I have always been interested in animals. As a biology teacher, I know how important it is to bring nature closer to people, especially children. For me, YAQU PACHA makes a valuable contribution to nature and species conservation in the local area. I am happy to do my bit!
Richard Urban
Through my job as an animal keeper, I experience the fascination and beauty of our animal world every day anew. I have cared for giant otters for over five years and have grown to love these lively "rascals." Through YAQU PACHA, I have the opportunity to make my own contribution to preserving their habitat in the Amazon. If we were to lose the unique flora and fauna of Latin America in all its diversity, we would have given up more than just a few trees, shrubs, and animals that have no direct commercial value. Our targeted projects in cooperation with the people of South America, for nature and humanity, appealed to me from the very beginning.
Ms. Silvia von Fersen
I have always been a big fan of whales and dolphins. Through my husband's work as founder and chairman of YAQU PACHA, I gained an insight into how threatened many of these species actually are and how much they need our active protection. I was particularly impressed when I had the opportunity to meet the teams in Chile and Brazil in person. The commitment of each individual on site is enormous, and their idealism is admirable. I particularly like the fact that I can say from my own experience that every cent really does go where it is urgently needed. And, of course, I paid for my trip with the teams out of my own pocket. I am happy to support the work of YAQU PACHA, even if our family has to make sacrifices from time to time when Lorenzo has to work for the organization on weekends.
Laura Wiessmeyer
I am a legal assistant and have been volunteering for YAQU PACHA in Germany since my early childhood. My father was the second chairman for many years, which is why I joined YAQU PACHA e.V. at an early age. I am interested and fascinated by what our species conservation organization does to protect the oceans and endangered species, and I help where I can, e.g., at charity events or other events, and I also work on our website.
All YAQU PACHA team members and the board of directors work for the organization on a voluntary basis. This means that 100% of all income and donations go directly to YAQU PACHA e.V.'s species conservation projects.
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30 years of YAQU PACHA e.V. | Our partners | Tasks and goals | Environmental education | Contact and legal notice | Animal species that YAQU PACHA works to protect | Species conservation