Sand dunes of the Sahara at Merzouga, Morocco, at dusk
Behind the project

A binational team

A team of four naturalists, Moroccan and Swiss, with one mission: to shine a light on Morocco's wildlife.

The team

Rayane Vuillemin

Rayane Vuillemin

Founder & Photographer

Rayane has always been passionate about the animal kingdom. Beyond leading the field expeditions and photographing the animals, he coordinates the project and develops its educational material and online presence.

@rayanevuilleminwildlife
Colin Ruffieux

Colin Ruffieux

Biologist & Writer

A reptile enthusiast since childhood, Colin holds a key role: writing the encyclopedia's species accounts. Rigorous and methodical, he's indispensable in the field and joins every expedition.

@swiss.wildnat
Clément Castella

Clément Castella

Outreach & Fundraising

In love with Morocco and its wildlife, Clément focuses on fundraising and getting the project seen, while being a real asset in the field. He also helps make the project's science accessible.

@el_castel
Haytam Iallaten

Haytam Iallaten

Zoologist & Designer

A PhD student at Mohammed V University in Rabat, Haytam helps at every level: from the field to fundraising, from species accounts to educational content.

@akairos_arts
What we do

Making them known to protect them

Fieldwork, photography, science and outreach. One species at a time, we make knowledge about Morocco's fauna more accessible, for free.

Behind the scenes

Field notebook

Colin Ruffieux carrying a Cerastes cerastes to the portable field studio near Guelmim, Morocco
Colin Ruffieux measuring a Common Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) found at night near Fort Bou Jerif, Morocco
Haytam Iallaten and Colin Ruffieux setting a camera trap on Varanus griseus tracks, Tata province, Morocco
A Tarentola boehmei on a wall in front of the field studio, Jebel Saghro, Morocco
Colin Ruffieux with the expedition vehicle and field studio in the High Atlas, Morocco
The expedition vehicle near Tiouli, Oujda region, eastern Morocco
Haytam Iallaten searching for tracks in coastal habitat near Essaouira, Morocco
Rayane Vuillemin reviewing photographs after a shoot in a pine forest near Rabat, Morocco
Stronger together

Our partners

Main partner · Morocco

Morocco Herpetology

A pioneering platform for Moroccan herpetology, built by Abdellah Bouazza and Aziza Lansari (Ibn Zohr University, Taroudant) and their students. Our main partner in Morocco: logistical, scientific and administrative support, and the creation of a visual identification key to the herpetofauna.

Visit Morocco Herpetology
Conservation program

Caméléon Center Conservation

An association dedicated to chameleon conservation. Together, a program to study and conserve the Common Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) in Morocco, in the face of collection and habitat destruction.

Learn more about the C.C.C