
Born on November 17, 1967, in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, Dener José Giovanini became interested in ecological movements during adolescence. He studied humanities and biology at the University of Vassouras before leaving his studies to devote himself entirely to fighting the trafficking of wild animals, a cause close to his heart.
A committed environmentalist, Dener José Giovanni did not hesitate to express his opinions and participated in the creation of the Green Party and the "Living Wood" organization. In 1999, he founded RENCTAS, the Brazilian national network to fight the trafficking of wild animals. Since that time, he has been recognized many times for his commitment and work, including the Sasakawa Prize, undoubtedly the most prestigious award in the environmental field.