Emma was born and raised in Ontario and spent her summers on the shores of the east
coast, where she developed a deep connection to marine life. This passion drove her to
explore the west coast, where she completed her BSc in Biology at the University of
Victoria.
Since earning her degree, Emma has contributed to multiple research studies on kelp,
insects, and salmon forests in British Columbia. She has worked in Goldstream
Provincial Park, developing and leading environmental education programs. For the last
few years, she has worked as a naturalist in the Great Bear Rainforest. Immersed in the
spectacular biodiversity of the region, Emma has guided expeditions observing grizzly
bear behavior and their interactions with the environment.
During the winter months, Emma works closely with Nature Seychelles, a non-profit
organization committed to studying and protecting endangered Hawksbill sea turtles
and the endemic Seychelles Magpie Robin.
Whether digging through bear scat, excavating turtle nests, or hiking with the guanacos
in Patagonia, Emma is dedicated to connecting people to the natural world and sharing
her passion for wildlife conservation.
EMMA LA FONTAINE
Franco Elgueta R. is a wildlife guide, photographer, and conservation filmmaker whose work bridges field science, visual storytelling, and community-based conservation.
With a background in Social Sciences and early experience working alongside Indigenous communities in southern Chile, he developed a lifelong passion for exploring how different cultures relate to the natural world. He has contributed to several publications on Chile’s wildlife, including the book Birds of Lafken Mapu.
Franco has guided wildlife experiences across some of the most remote ecosystems in the Americas and beyond, from Puma research safaris in Patagonia to Grizzly Bear expeditions in Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest. His guiding work is grounded in extensive small-vessel navigation experience in dynamic environments, and in a deep knowledge of animal behavior.
As a filmmaker and camera operator, Franco has contributed to projects with BBC, APTN, CBC, and several conservation NGOs, filming species from marine otters on Chile’s coast to Australasian bitterns in New Zealand wetlands. His cinematography has been featured in award-winning documentaries and international conservation campaigns, blending scientific accuracy with an immersive, narrative approach.
FRANCO ELGUETA R.
