Noel Kempff Mercado was a Bolivian scientist and naturalist whose work significantly contributed to the study and preservation of biodiversity in the eastern part of the country. His relentless efforts to establish protected areas to combat deforestation, illegal hunting, and ecosystem destruction made him an essential figure in environmental conservation.
Decades after his tragic death, his legacy remains alive in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The presence of tajibo trees along the streets and plazas of the city is a reminder of his urban reforestation plan initiated in the 1980s. Likewise, the hundreds of visitors who flock to the municipal zoo and botanical garden—both institutions he founded—attest to his lasting impact on the community.
Despite the recognition he has received, with parks, museums, and avenues bearing his name, much of his remarkable legacy remains unknown. According to the renowned Spanish biologist Javier Castroviejo, Kempff was “ahead of his time, a visionary of nature.”
Early Life and Education
Noel Kempff Mercado was born on February 27, 1924, in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. He was the son of German doctor Francisco Kempff and Bolivian Luisa Mercado. Growing up in a family of five siblings, he later built his own family, marrying María Eddy Saucedo Justiniano, with whom he had five children: Francisco Noel, Ana Bely, María Leny, Selva Lorena, and Tania Isabel.
Those who knew him highlight his humility, honesty, and insatiable curiosity—qualities that led him to delve deep into the study of eastern Bolivia’s flora and fauna. His meticulous and organized nature enabled him to document every observation, strengthening his reputation as a researcher.
Early Research and Career
Although he is best known for his contributions to biodiversity, his first publications were in geology. He wrote about mica deposits in San Pedro, in the Ñuflo de Chávez province, and analyzed the geological characteristics of Santa Ana de Velasco.
In the 1950s, he ventured into beekeeping and moved to the countryside to study bee behavior. His passion for this subject led him to teach courses on beekeeping, horticulture, and gardening at the School of Agronomy in Santa Cruz, where he trained future generations of agronomists. Over two decades, he published numerous articles on honey extraction and the study of wild bees.
His love for research led him to explore various ecosystems throughout Bolivia in search of new species of flora and fauna. These expeditions resulted in several books, including The Snakes of Bolivia, Amazonian Flora of Bolivia, and Birds of Bolivia. Additionally, he created a detailed map of the fish species found in the Santa Cruz region.
Environmental Conservation and Public Initiatives
In 1965, Kempff was appointed director of the Santa Cruz Botanical Garden, a project to which he devoted great effort. However, a flood in 1983 destroyed the original botanical garden, prompting him to secure land for its reconstruction in a new location. Thanks to his perseverance, Santa Cruz now has a botanical garden on the road to Cotoca.
Another of his great contributions was the urban reforestation of Santa Cruz. As director of Parks and Gardens for the municipality, he promoted the planting of tajibo, toborochi, and jacaranda trees—species that have given Santa Cruz its unique landscape identity.
Kempff also played a fundamental role in founding and directing the Santa Cruz Zoo, which at the time was considered one of the most comprehensive collections of South American fauna. His growing reputation in the scientific community led to his appointment as a full member of the National Academy of Sciences of Bolivia in 1985.
Moreover, he helped establish national parks such as Amboró and Caparuch. The latter, which now bears his name, was designed as a binational conservation project between Bolivia and Brazil. To achieve this, he collaborated with Brazilian botanist Paulo Windisch, aiming to protect the shared biodiversity of both countries.
Scientific Expeditions and Final Years
Even past the age of 60, Kempff maintained his passion for research. During each expedition, he recorded the sounds of birds and other wildlife using a tape recorder, documenting Bolivia’s acoustic biodiversity.
Documentary filmmaker Rubén Poma, who accompanied him on several expeditions, recalled that Kempff would wake up at 4:00 AM and be deep in the jungle by 5:00 AM, identifying bird calls, animal sounds, and tracking footprints.
His dedication to science and nature remained strong until the end of his life. Though his death was tragic, his legacy lives on in the forests he helped protect, the green spaces he championed, and the environmental awareness he fostered in Bolivia.
Conclusion
Noel Kempff Mercado was a pioneer in environmental conservation in Bolivia. His work in establishing national parks, protecting biodiversity, and promoting environmental education laid the foundation for conservation policies in the country.
Even today, decades after his passing, his impact is evident in Santa Cruz’s urban flora, in the zoo he founded, and in the protected areas he helped create. His vision of a world where development and nature coexist harmoniously remains an inspiration for present and future generations.
