Dr Vikash Tatayah, Conservation Director and Assistant Treasurer of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, has been active in conservation for nearly 25 years. He trained in agriculture before joining conservation. He conducted a doctoral study on the Round Island Petrel Pterodroma arminjoniana. He manages conservation programmes on Mauritius, Rodrigues and outer islands that have allowed the recovery of a long list of threatened plants and animals. He participates in fund-raising for projects, awareness-raising and public relations initiatives, is a link with the Government of Mauritius and represents the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation on national conservation and environment consultations, the latest being the Wakasio wreck and oil spill. He also represents the organization with several key organisations (eg BirdLife, African Bird Club, IUCN, Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund, Botanical Gardens Conservation International), and universities. Vikash has over 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals, (co)-authored several books and chapters, and has reviewed scientific articles. He has won or accepted several prizes locally and internationally e.g. Junior Chamber International (Mauritius) - The Outstanding Young Person 2009; Le Defi Media Group Awards 2018, in the context of the 50th Independence Anniversary of the Republic of Mauritius (One of 50 awardees for contribution to the country); acceptance of the Global Conservation Award 2018, 9th Global Conservation Gala, Philadelphia Zoo (US) on behalf of Rodrigues Environment Education Project, Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (Rodrigues); IUCN Species Survival Commission Chair’s Citation of Excellence 2019 and 2020, as Co-chair of Mascarene Islands Plant Specialist Group; on the occasion of the World Biodiversity Day 2020, the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund, Hotspots Hero (for the Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot; and in June 2021 the 184th Commonwealth Points of Light. He is also the co-chair of the IUCN Mascarene Island Plant Specialist Group and member of several other Specialist Groups.