JT Tavares

João (J.T.) has built a career studying wildlife across a wide range of terrestrial and marine environments. His work has included monitoring, satellite tracking and surveying some of the world's most iconic bird species under the cork oak canopies of southern Portugal, across remote seamounts of the eastern Atlantic, along the roads of the Anatolian Plateau and among wind turbines in the Egyptian desert.

In addition to his work on land, J.T. spent years at sea as a fisheries observer and survey specialist, studying seabirds, sea turtles and cetaceans throughout the North Atlantic. These experiences brought him into close collaboration with both fishermen and marine scientists while contributing to wildlife monitoring and marine research efforts.

J.T. also worked as a birding guide for more than a decade in Portugal, Spain and Morocco, helping travelers discover the region's diverse birdlife and natural history. Sharing knowledge about wildlife and the natural world remains a central part of his work.

His travels have taken him throughout Europe, several regions of Africa and across South America to Antarctica. Along the way, he has recorded more than 5,500 species, ranging from birds and mammals to plants and other forms of wildlife.

Beyond fieldwork, J.T. is an illustrator and designer who creates educational materials focused on conservation and science. He has authored and illustrated books for audiences ranging from young children to scientific professionals. Several of his publications have received awards in his native Portugal, reflecting his commitment to making science and natural history accessible to a wide range of audiences.