Our Team

Chris Castles | President

Chris started breeding parrots when he was just seven years old and bred several native and non-native species in his home country of New Zealand. Specializing in psittacines, Chris worked at the Wellington Zoo before moving to Costa Rica in 2003 to work with Amigos de las Aves. In 2009 he founded the Avifauna Reintroduction Alliance (ARA) project, hand-raising and releasing over 200 macaws at sites around the country, including Punta Islita, Punta Uva and Punta Banco. In 2010 he led the world’s first ever release of captive-bred Great Green Macaws into the wild. Chris set up the new rescue center in the Osa Peninsula in 2015, before co-founding Macaw Conservation in 2017.

Rob James | Executive Director

Rob graduated with his phd in molecular biology from University College London in 2007 before holding research management roles at the Royal College of Art and the Wellcome Trust in the UK. In 2010 he joined the Corcovado Foundation in Costa Rica and led their sea turtle conservation and volunteer programs for six years. In 2014 he founded the non-profit hostel, Drake Bay Backpackers, before working as a consultant for various organizations in the region, including Osa Conservation. Rob co-founded Macaw Conservation with Chris Castles in 2017.

Rob James | Co-Founder

Rob graduated with his phd in molecular biology from University College London in 2007 before holding research management roles at the Royal College of Art and the Wellcome Trust in the UK. In 2010 he joined the Corcovado Foundation in Costa Rica and led their sea turtle conservation and volunteer programs for six years. In 2014 he founded the non-profit hostel, Drake Bay Backpackers, before working as a consultant for various organizations in the region, including Osa Conservation. Rob co-founded Macaw Conservation with Chris Castles in 2017.

Rebe Beita | Director of Environmental Education

Rebe graduated with her degree in psychology from the Universidad Católica de Costa Rica in 2007, and has over six years of experience working in industrial psychology and human resources. Her journey as a yoga instructor began in 2012, receiving training and then teaching at the top two yoga schools in Costa Rica, Yoga Mandir and Casa Lamat. Rebe joined Macaw Conservation in 2017 as Director of Environmental Education and continues to teach yoga in Puerto Jiménez.  

Rebe Beita | Consultant

Rebe graduated with her degree in psychology from the Universidad Católica de Costa Rica in 2007, and has over six years of experience working in industrial psychology and human resources. Her journey as a yoga instructor began in 2012, receiving training and then teaching at the top two yoga schools in Costa Rica, Yoga Mandir and Casa Lamat. Rebe joined Macaw Conservation in 2017 as an Environmental Education Consultant and continues to teach yoga in Puerto Jiménez.