Dioscoro S. Rabor

Dioscoro Siarot Rabor (–), also known as Joe Rabor, was a Filipino ornithologist, zoologist, and conservationist. Known as the "Father of Philippine Wildlife Conservation", he led more than 50 wildlife expeditions in the Philippines, authored 87 scientific papers and articles, and described 69 new bird taxa and numerous mammal species.

In 1965, he brought public attention to the endangered status of the Philippine Eagle.

Biography

Early life and education Born in Cebu City, Philippines, Rabor studied at the University of the Philippines for his bachelors and masters degrees. He pursued Ph.D. studies at Yale University, where he was advised by ornithologist Sidney Dillon Ripley.

Career Rabor led many expeditions throughout the Philippine Islands to collect animal specimens, making a significant contribution to knowledge about Philippine wildlife and ecology. He often traveled with his wife, Lina N. Florendo Rabor, and their six children. Over several decades, he visited 25 islands in the Philippines and collected over 60,000 bird specimens. His field collection efforts allowed for the description of many new taxa, including 8 species and 61 subspecies of birds. His efforts to educate people around the world about the challenges facing the Philippine Eagle helped spur the involvement of Peace Corps volunteers in Philippine Eagle conservation projects.

Awards and recognition Fulbright Research Fellowship, Field Museum of Natural History Guggenheim Fellowship, Organismic Biology & Ecology (1950) Research Associate, Field Museum of Natural History Research Associate, Yale Peabody Museum Research Associate, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Research Associate, Denver Museum of Nature and Science Research Associate, Bernice P. Bishop Museum Corresponding Fellow, American Ornithologists' Union Guggenheim Fellowship, Organismic Biology & Ecology (1956)