Dr. Rodolfo Werner Kinkelin is a wildlife conservationist who has devoted many years of his career to the study and conservation of the Patagonian Sea, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica. One of his field research projects studied the diving behavior and behavioral ecology of southern sea lions off the Patagonian coast. He has also participated in research on southern elephant seals and Magellan penguins in Patagonia.
Rodolfo was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, graduated as a biologist from the University of Buenos Aires, obtained a Ph.D. in biology at the University of Munich, Germany, and conducted a postdoctoral in marine zoology at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Rodolfo has consulted for the Metropolitan Toronto Zoo, Vancouver Aquarium, World Wildlife Fund International and U.S., the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, the National Environmental Trust, Greenpeace International, The Pew Environment Group, and for other international organizations on marine conservation issues such as marine policy, marine mammals, marine protected areas, marine governance, and fisheries management. For the last 10 years he has been focusing his work on Antarctic marine wildlife, especially on the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources, such as Antarctic krill, penguins, seals and Patagonian toothfish. Currently, he is the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Advisor to the International Policy Program of the Pew Environment Group (The Pew Charitable Trusts). Besides of his Antarctic work, he has been also the Coordinator of the Forum for the Conservation of the Patagonian Sea and Areas of Influence.
He has lived extensive periods of time in Argentina, Germany, Canada, U.S. and Spain, and has traveled extensively throughout the world for his work and to experience different cultures. Besides of his academic credentials, he is fluent in English, Spanish and German. He is currently based in San Carlos de Bariloche, Patagonia, Argentina. For the last eight years, Rodolfo has been also working as nature guide on board of vessels traveling to Antarctica during the Austral summer. Beside guiding and providing operations support, he has lectured on diverse Antarctic marine conservation issues.
