Gabriela Sandoval

Gabriela Sandoval, one of Conservation Nation’s 2025 Conservationist Grant recipients, is an Ecuadorian biologist, committed to conservation and the protection of biodiversity and threatened species. From childhood, she has felt a deep connection to nature and a strong desire to protect animals and plants. As she advanced through her biology degree at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, she became even more passionate about conservation while discovering the extraordinary biodiversity of her country. 

Her conservation journey began with the Khamai Foundation in 2022 as a chapter author and editor for the Reptiles of Ecuador book. Since 2024, she has taken on a leadership role as Director of Grants. Currently, she is the Vice President at Khamai Foundation and through her work, she has contributed to protecting key habitats in the Mindo Cloud Forest and the Amazon Rainforest, supporting ongoing efforts to conserve endangered species.

As her professional career develops, she’s actively preparing as a young conservationist by strengthening her skills in scientific writing, project planning, and resource management. She’s deeply committed to building strong partnerships and leading initiatives that support long-term ecological resilience, making a real and lasting impact in Ecuador and beyond.
Project Overview

After the Mindo Harlequin Toad (Atelopus mindoensis) was declared “possibly extinct” having not been seen since 1989, a relict population of five individuals was rediscovered in 2019, in an undisclosed pristine cloud forest stream in Mindo. Ex-situ breeding attempts in Quito, Ecuador failed to save the population. However, the situation of the species has changed since September 2024. Thanks to monitoring efforts supported by Khamai Foundation and partners, her team at Khamai have found 16 survivors so far, including two gravid females and four tadpoles. Gabriela’s project will carry out a rapid-response monitoring program to find additional survivors in the land lots neighboring the Arelquín Reserve to determine the status of the population. Confirming more survivors will help her and Khamai to secure the strategic land purchase to expand the current Arlequin Reserve and protect the remaining habitat and population of Atelopus mindoensis.