Get to know Sacha Huagra up close!
Meet the Team
Sacha brings boots‑on‑the‑ground experience in Andean ecosystems and a knack for turning big ideas into community‑driven solutions. With a wide range of backgrounds and a common love for nature, our team is all about collaborations and a relentless drive to protect the mountain tapir’s home.
Sergio Sandoval
Co-Founder
Sergio Sandoval is a Wildlife biologist who was vice president of the Tapir Preservation Fund and has been a member of the IUCN Tapir Specialist Group (TSG) since 2001. Director of the first international project for the conservation of the mountain tapir in Colombia, led by the Cali Zoo, Los Angeles Zoo, and Puracé National Natural Park between 2003 and 2005. In that same period, he participated in the design of the action plans of the tapirs of Colombia and the IUCN mountain tapir action plan. He is currently the general director of the Mountain Tapir Forever project, which has the support and participation of Los Angeles Zoo, USA, Neotropical Foundation, Cali Zoological Foundation and the grassroot organization Huellas del Macizo Association.
Michiel van Noppen
Co-Founder
Michiel is an ecologist and evolutionary biologist from the University of Amsterdam. He is part of the International League of Conservation Photographers and through his work as a conservation photographer, Michiel has collaborated with multiple conservation organizations such as Foundation Conservation Carpathia, Nai Conservation, Proyecto Tapir Nicaragua, and Ark Rewilding. Michiel uses photography to give a voice to scientists, conservationists, or the local community working to protect the rapidly declining, but amazing natural world.
Our Board
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Shèraga van Wetten
BOARD MEMBER / Secretary
Shèraga is an aquatic biologist, working for Rijkswaterstaat, where she plays a role in shaping both water policy and the conservation of the aquatic ecosystems in the Netherlands. With a strong scientific background, Sheraga has been a key collaborator on various conservation projects, highlighting her dedication to advancing ecological understanding. Sheraga's diverse skills and her genuine love for nature make her a valuable asset to the Sacha Huagra Foundation.
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David Hup
BOARD MEMBER / Chairman
David Hup, photographer, and founder of a reanimation education company, is captivated by the delicate interplay between humanity and nature. David skillfully employs photography to spotlight our impact on ecosystems, aiming to foster awareness and pave the way for sustainable coexistence. His organizational acumen ensures the effective execution of projects aligned with the conservation vision of Sacha Huagra.
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Maarten Wetselaar
BOARD MEMBER / Treasurer
Running his own company with sustainable materials in construction, Maarten is driven by implementing eco-friendly practices, fostering financial transparency, and promoting ethical financial management for a greener and more sustainable future. Beyond his professional life, he actively participates in community initiatives, such as Buurtboerderij Nieuweg, a permaculture farm contributing to the neighborhood's well-being
Our Volunteers
Eva de Kam
CONTENT CREATER/BRANDING
By day, Eva is a product developer for Tommy Hilfiger; outside work, she’s our go‑to content and branding guru. Though her heart belongs to sea turtles rather than tapirs, her love of nature shines through in every Instagram post and page she crafts. Drawing on years of expertise in brand building, Eva keeps our feeds fresh, fun, and utterly irresistible—turning conservation stories into scroll‑stopping moments.