Our story

The origins of RAN date back to 1979, when the now-defunct Brazilian Institute for Forestry Development (IBDF), with the purpose of preventing the impending extinction of Amazonian turtle species, established a protection and management program for these species.

In 1990, faced with the need for better structuring of wildlife conservation and management projects in Brazil, several projects were distributed among Specialized Centers, and among them, the National Center for Amazonian Turtles (CENAQUA) was created. In 2001, CENAQUA was transformed into the National Center for Research and Conservation of Reptiles and Amphibians (RAN), increasing its taxonomic scope to include all Brazilian herpetofauna.

Starting in 2007, as part of the structure of the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), RAN became known as the National Center for Research and Conservation of Reptiles and Amphibians, maintaining the same acronym (RAN), and is linked to the Directorate of Research, Evaluation and Monitoring of Biodiversity – DIBIO/ICMBio.

Based in Goiânia/GO, RAN coordinates national conservation actions for reptiles and amphibians, especially those threatened with extinction, overexploited, or dependent on conservation and control programs for invasive exotic species, and also supports sustainable management alternatives. 

Since its creation, RAN (Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Center) has been involved in managing public policies for the conservation of reptiles and amphibians throughout the national territory. This broad scope of responsibilities led to the need to establish permanent dialogues with the scientific community, initiating a partnership with the Brazilian Herpetological Society (SBH).

The journey began in 2003 in Goiânia, with the 1st RAN Forum, which brought together 55 herpetologists to define the first work guidelines. This pioneering meeting marked the beginning of a collaboration that would only grow over the years.

From 2004 onwards, the RAN Forums began to be held during the Brazilian Herpetology Congresses, becoming unique opportunities to articulate knowledge and strategies. This integration allowed RAN to consolidate itself as a unifying agent and focal point for the conservation of Brazilian herpetofauna, with special attention to endangered species and those of economic interest.

Over the years, we have witnessed concrete results from this collaboration. In Curitiba (2004), 83 researchers evaluated and strengthened the initial guidelines. In Belo Horizonte (2005), 121 specialists developed management plans for crocodilians and snakes, defining priority areas for the conservation of Amazonian turtles.

The milestone in Pirenópolis (2009), with more than 200 participants, initiated the process of evaluating the conservation status of herpetofauna and the development of National Action Plans (PAN). This work resulted in ICMBio Normative Instruction No. 28/2012, regulating the management of crocodilians.

In the following years, in Curitiba (2011) and Salvador (2013), the partnership focused on the implementation of the PANs and the standardization of research and monitoring methodologies.

From 2015 onwards, the RAN Forums were fully integrated into the SBH program, consolidating a relationship that goes beyond isolated events. Today, we have an integrated network of researchers and institutions, with standardized data systematization and shared information management.

This successful partnership demonstrates that joint work between researchers and environmental analysts brings effective and lasting results for conservation.