Dr. Jigme Tshelthrim Wangyal

Dr. Jigme Tshelthrim Wangyal is a distinguished Bhutanese conservationist, naturalist, and herpetologist whose professional journey spans over two decades of dedicated service to biodiversity and ecological stewardship. With over 25 years of experience in forestry and 23 years in ecosystem management, he brings deep interdisciplinary expertise grounded in science, policy, and practical application.

His career has traversed government institutions, non-governmental organisations, and academia, reflecting his versatility and commitment to sustainability. Most recently, Dr. Wangyal contributed to ecosystem research and teaching at the University of New England, Australia, where his work bridged ecological science with the human dimensions of conservation. A fervent advocate for lesser-known species, Dr. Wangyal has a particular interest in herpetofauna, amphibians and reptiles, an area often underrepresented in conservation discourse. As a self-styled Herpetographer, he has worked to elevate awareness and protection of these vital ecological indicators, while steadily building toward full herpetological specialisation.

His doctoral research in Ecosystem Management emphasises the interplay between biological diversity and sustainable livelihoods, with a strong focus on protected areas, community forestry, and forest-wildlife interactions. He is widely recognised for combining ecological knowledge with social science insights to shape inclusive and impactful conservation strategies. Dr. Wangyal, also known as Bhutan's "Frog Scientist," has been honoured with the prestigious Edward T. LaRoe III Memorial Award by the Society for Conservation Biology at the 2025 International Congress for Conservation Biology, held in Brisbane, Australia.