Dr. Munir Virani joined the Mohamed Bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund as their new Chief Executive Officer on September 1, 2021. Prior to that, Munir was the Executive Vice President and Director for Global Conservation Strategy for The Peregrine Fund, based in Boise Idaho, USA.  With over 25 years of experience in raptor research and conservation, strategic planning, project design, execution, management and fund raising, Munir’s research on birds of prey spans over four continents and focuses on creative, holistic and effective solutions for conservation problems, developing collaborative conservation ventures and capacity building.

Munir has conducted extensive research on birds of prey in East Africa, India, Nepal and Pakistan and his most recent strategic conservation portfolio extended to Panama on Harpy Eagles, forest conservation and indigenous communities; and in the Caribbean Islands on the threatened raptors there. In addition to his research and leadership skills, Munir is a prolific fund raiser and was an integral part of The Peregrine Fund’s Development team having raised significant financial gifts for bird of prey conservation.

Munir has won several International Awards including The Aga Khan Foundation’s award for excellence in the Field of Science and Technology and more recently the prestigious “Green Oscar” Award from the Whitley Fund for Nature’s for his work on critically endangered vultures in Kenya. Munir has published over 150 scientific and popular articles, supervised 25 students for graduate degrees and continues to be deeply invested in developing collaborative partnerships and conservation leadership around the world. He is also a globally recognized wildlife photographer, award-winning wildlife film-maker and an accomplished speaker. His TED talk on “Why I Love Vultures” has generated over one million views. His is passionate about Birds of prey, Cricket, Wildlife Photography and Singing.