Miguel Lajas

Miguel holds a Master’s degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Lisbon (2015). His final year dissertation was focused on African lion parasites from Niassa Reserve, Mozambique, carried out in collaboration with the Niassa Lion Project. He later worked as a veterinarian with the Iberian Lynx Captive Breeding Programme, contributing to the recovery of one of Europe’s most endangered carnivore species.

In 2018, Miguel began a PhD at the University of Porto as a researcher at CIBIO/BIOPOLIS, where his work focused on serval ecology and interactions with larger predators. In 2022, he joined the Science Department at Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, as Research Manager. In this role, he supported day-to-day departmental operations, led and coordinated field teams, and worked closely with national and international research partners, contributing to a broad range of conservation, monitoring, and applied research programmes.

Miguel joined African Parks in January 2026 as Conservation Manager at Iona National Park, Angola, where he oversees conservation planning, monitoring, and implementation in support of the park’s long-term ecological and conservation goals.

He has a strong passion for wildlife conservation, photography, travel, and good coffee.