Laura Perry (Castlerock Conservation) recently shared lessons learned through theory and evidence-based design of behaviour change approaches to support effective conservation, focussing on the importance of adhering to scientific principles when designing human dimensions approaches.
Meet PhD researcher Ella Bradford
Ella’s research focuses on African wild dog ecology across ecosystems in Zambia. She is working to understand dispersal life stage, & has recently spent months in the field working with the Zambian Carnivore Programme
wildcru.org/members/ella...
@biology.ox.ac.uk
The data collected in landscapes like Ruaha contributes to understanding large carnivore populations, human-wildlife interactions, and how to better support coexistence between people and wildlife.
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Most field work takes place in remote settings where conditions change quickly, and progress often depends on adapting to the challenges. Field work forms part of the long-term approach to conservation, which combines ecological research with community-centred programmes
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The realities of fieldwork 🌧️
In Tanzania’s Ruaha landscape, Joseph Francis, Judith Mtalo, and Felix Mdauda from the Lion Landscapes team highlight one of the challenges that comes with researching and conserving wildlife... the weather!
[1/3] @biology.ox.ac.uk
Congratulations Dr Jonathan Growcott 👏
Combining data from camera traps & autonomous recording units, Jonathan monitored large carnivores across Tanzanian landscapes & explored AI data processing, discovering unique identifiers in lion & leopard roars for individual recognition
What shapes how animals move through landscapes?
Studying wildcat–domestic cat hybrids in Scotland, researchers found different drivers: slope and land cover influenced paths taken, while elevation, forest cover, and human development shaped habitat choice.
👉 doi.org/10.1016/j.ec...
...This award ceremony highlights the amazing talent and passion shown by so many people across the University, and we are both humbled and honoured to be part of it this year.”
There will be more to come from the team as we celebrate at the ceremony in June.
@mplsoxford.bsky.social
“We are thrilled to have made the shortlist for these awards - it's a wonderful recognition for the many WildCRU staff and students, in Oxford and beyond, who are helping transform wildlife conservation through research, training and implementation....
WildCRU has been shortlisted for the Vice Chancellor’s ‘Making a Difference Globally’ Award 🌟
The award acknowledges the valuable contributions of the team to making a difference to lives overseas.
WildCRU’s Director Amy Dickman shared 👇
@biology.ox.ac.uk @ox.ac.uk
"... This award ceremony highlights the amazing talent and passion shown by so many people across the University, and we are both humbled and honoured to be part of it this year."
@mplsoxford.bsky.social
“We are thrilled to have made the shortlist for these awards - it's a wonderful recognition for the many WildCRU staff and students, in Oxford and beyond, who are helping transform wildlife conservation through research, training and implementation.... "
Featured researchers: Jenny Linden, Charlotte Searle, Dylan Feldmeier, @elisaseres.bsky.social, Ella Bradford, Paolo Strampelli, Rebecca Roodt, Matilde Sant’Ana, and Claudio Sillero.
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From climate change and competition to community conflict and knowledge gaps, the team showcased their latest research and networked with other scientists and practitioners from around the world.
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WildCRU researchers attended the African Wild Dogs United Conference to discuss conservation and management issues, tackle current challenges, and raise awareness about the species.
[1/3] @biology.ox.ac.uk
Both students are supervised by Jorgelina Marino, accompanied by EWCP founder Claudio Sillero. The researchers are also supported by a valuable team of Wolf Monitors.
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MBiol student Lucy Hudson is studying sociality in Ethiopian wolves using 30 years of EWCP data, while PhD researcher Matt Hendren is researching Afroalpine networks with a focus on carnivore food webs.
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The EWCP team are out in the field, monitoring Ethiopian wolf packs and collecting fecal samples to understand food webs in the high altitude ecosystem.
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@biology.ox.ac.uk @mplsoxford.bsky.social
@bas.ac.uk @wwf.org.uk @biology.ox.ac.uk
Prem Gill shared his cutting-edge research methods to remotely study Antarctic ice seals.
As a keen storyteller, Prem also discussed engaging underrepresented groups within polar science, including grime music made from Antarctic seal sounds.
👉https://www.geog.cam.ac.uk/people/gill
Meet PhD researcher Norman Nduna
Norman’s research focuses on understanding the social dimensions of human–hyena conflict in Zambia, exploring how communities and spotted hyenas coexist in shared landscapes to inform conservation management.
👉 wildcru.org/members/norm...
@biology.ox.ac.uk
Amber Cowans (University of St Andrews) shared PhD research investigating what features of signs make people more or less willing to follow behavioural requests (eg. keeping dogs on leads or sticking to designated trails) to protect sensitive species like the Western Capercaillie
@biology.ox.ac.uk
WildCRU PhD researchers and Diploma alumni attended the International Conservation Technology Conference, Peru.
From acoustic monitoring and biologging to remote sensing and AI, the conference explored powerful new tools tackling conservation challenges to drive positive impact.
@biology.ox.ac.uk
Meet PhD researcher Emily Madsen 🐆
Having conducted many years of fieldwork in Kenya, Emily’s interests have focussed on better understanding small-medium sized carnivores in East Africa to inform conservation management.
👉 wildcru.org/members/emil...
@biology.ox.ac.uk @mplsoxford.bsky.social
Tom Harwood (ecioxford.bsky.social) shared ecological modelling which examines relationships between land use, nature and climate change.
Focussing on community modelling tools to produce global indicators, Tom’s work tackles the practical challenges of global change.
@biology.ox.ac.uk
NEW: Researchers from Oxford's @wildcru.bsky.social have found that ultrasound repellers could help reduce hedgehog road deaths 🦔
The proposal is based on findings which demonstrate for the first time that hedgehogs can hear high-frequency ultrasound.
More info ⬇️
The study was a collaboration between the University of Oxford, The Natural History Museum Denmark at University of Copenhagen, City Dyreklinik (Copenhagen), Aarhus University, Aarhus University Hospital, and University of Southern Denmark.
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This ultrasonic hearing may help hedgehogs communicate, understand direction and detect prey, but it also opens the possibility for ultrasonic warning or repellent systems on cars to reduce deadly collisions.
@ox.ac.uk @mplsoxford.bsky.social @biology.ox.ac.uk
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What can hedgehogs hear? 🦔
Researchers studied the ear anatomy of European hedgehogs using micro-CT scans, finding tiny middle ear bones and a cochlea perfectly shaped for detecting high-frequency sound.
Research led by @drhedgehog.bsky.social 👉 bit.ly/4lnT1iN
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@biology.ox.ac.uk @mplsoxford.bsky.social
