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Whales

Learn more about the institute

Our Mission

Protecting the Ocean for Future Generations

Whale

Founded in 1992, the ORCA Institute (Environmental Consciousness Organization) is a non-governmental organization based in Guarapari, with direct operations on the coast of Espírito Santo. The institution is dedicated to the conservation of aquatic mammals and the preservation of the marine ecosystem. The Institute is also a founding member and active participant of the Brazilian Aquatic Mammal Stranding Network (REMAB/CMA).

It is considered a reference in handling strandings of large and small cetaceans, in addition to its performance in national networks, aiming at scientific knowledge and integration with the national policy for research and conservation of aquatic mammals in accordance with the objectives of ICMBio/MMA and other partners.

30+

Years of experience

20+

Different species monitored

1,000+

Animals treated

300 km+

of coastline monitored

Our History

Timeline

Foundation

Since 1992, dedicated to the conservation of aquatic mammals and preservation of marine ecosystems.

Member of REMAB

Member of REMAB (Brazilian Aquatic Mammal Stranding and Information Network): the Network's objective is to articulate and optimize its members' actions in monitoring and caring for stranded and fishing-gear-captured aquatic mammals, as well as to develop and enable studies on these animals in Brazil.

Successful reintroduction of Humpback whale calf

In an operation that extended for about 7 hours, the animal was successfully reintroduced to its natural environment, resuming its journey and reuniting with its mother.

600 Sotalia guianensis registered

The Institute reached the milestone of 600 care records for the species Sotalia guianensis.

International Agreement with Institution from Portugal

An agreement was signed between NGOs that promotes the exchange of students and researchers in the field of Marine Biology, with emphasis on the study of marine mammals.

New Digital Era

Automation system developed to optimize care triage and registration of marine mammal sightings.

Supporters

Corporate partners

Mission, Vision and Values

Our Journey with Meaning

Mission

Promote the well-being and conservation of marine fauna through rescue, rehabilitation and scientific research. With socio-environmental responsibility, uniting science, education and direct action in protecting the oceans.

Vision

To be a national reference in the management, study and conservation of marine mammals and to inspire a harmonious coexistence between human beings and marine life, based on knowledge and respect.

Values

Commitment to life and science in an ethical, transparent way, valuing empathy and collaboration in favor of caring for marine life.

Our journey

Directive Team

Meet some of the team

Lupercio Araujo Barbosa

Lupercio Araujo Barbosa

Founder

Vice-President, graduated in Medicine from the Escola Superior de Ciências da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Vitória (1982). He is a pioneer in natural history studies focused on marine mammal strandings on the coast of Espírito Santo, which began in 1989. Founding member and current Vice-President of the Environmental Consciousness Organization – ORCA Institute, a non-governmental organization created in 1992. He is responsible for the various research, conservation and management programs for marine mammals developed by the Institute along the coast of Espírito Santo.

Lauro Venturini

Lauro Venturini

President Director

He holds a Master's degree in Letters (Latin Letters) from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (1985). He was a professor at the Centro de Ensino Superior de Vitória. He has experience in the area of Letters, with an emphasis on the Portuguese Language. He worked in the Department of Letters at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES) as a professor of Portuguese and Latin. He directed his passion for the environment and marine life to the cause of conservation, becoming a member of the ORCA Institute.

João Marcelo Ramos Nogueira

João Marcelo Ramos Nogueira

Executive Director

Graduated in Environmental Management Technology from the University of Salvador (UNIFACS), he is responsible for coordinating several research, conservation and management programs for marine mammals along the coast of Espírito Santo. Currently, he also acts as general coordinator of the ORCA Institute within the scope of the Beach Monitoring Program (PMP BC/ES), which covers the entire coast of Espírito Santo. His dedication to research and conservation of marine life is the driving force behind the Institute's initiatives, aimed at protecting and preserving ocean biodiversity.

Kamilla Avelino de Souza

Kamilla Avelino de Souza

Scientific Director

Graduated in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (2013), Master in Morphological Sciences from the Morphological Sciences Program at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (2018) and currently a doctoral student in the same program. Founder of the Brazilian Neurobiodiversity Network, the scientist focuses her work on the comparative analysis of cetacean brains, exploring brain morphology to unravel the mysteries of the evolution of the nervous system of these animals.

Ian Augusto Gusman Cunha

Ian Augusto Gusman Cunha

Veterinarian

Daniela Teles Guilhon

Daniela Teles Guilhon

Veterinarian

Catharina Valadares

Catharina Valadares

Marine Biologist

Recognitions

Our Awards and Seals

🏆

Lorem Ipsum Award

2023

Lorem Organization

🌊

Lorem Dolor Sit

2023

Amet Institute

🎖️

Consectetur Adipiscing

2022

Lorem Foundation

Elit Lorem Prize

2022

Ipsum Society

🌍

Sed Do Eiusmod

2021

Tempor Association

🏅

Incididunt Labore

2021

Dolore Magna Institute