For over 20 years, Dr Debbie Saunders has worked as a wildlife biologist, specialising in threatened species conservation management and worked with diverse teams of talented people to develop the world’s most advanced drone radio-telemetry solution – resulting in the establishment of Wildlife Drones. 

As a passionate founder, CEO and Chief Remote Pilot of this award-winning deep tech company, Dr Saunders gets to empower wildlife biologists and land managers to achieve greater insights and conservation impact all around the world by cost-effectively collecting more data, more often with less effort.

How can Wildlife Drones help you? 
- Track up to 40 animals simultaneously and in real-time
- Survey difficult terrains like rugged mountains and swamp areas easily
- Save time, effort and money so you can focus on what really matters
- Collect more data, more often with less effort

She has received an ACT Innovation Award as well as an ACT Government Innovation Connect grant for her creative business solutions for challenging research problems.

Debbie believes that drones are a highly valuable and flexible tool that provide unprecedented opportunities for new insights into the world’s most complex and fascinating natural ecosystems.

Meet Muhammad Asif Khan, a passionate forestry student. With a strong interest in conservation and sustainability, I'm dedicated to understanding the management of forests and the impact of human activity on them. In my free time, I enjoy hiking and camping in the great outdoors. I'm also active in student clubs and organizations related to forestry and environmental conservation. I wish to do my Master's in Forestry abroad.

 I am Amani Ngoma. I am a MSc student in Computer Science at the Faculty of Technology of the University of Sunderland. I work in the Garamba National Park's Tech Team, and I am in charge of IoT integration, GIS and Security.  I have 10+ years career in Conservation Technology and I love implementing solutions for conservation. My historical records include conservation leadership, data analysis, GIS, telemetry, forensic and programming.

José Luiz Esteves works professionally through EXPONENTIALIS Learning and Education Projects and INTELIBUSINESS, a Social Responsibility and Corporate Sustainability Consulting venture, created in Belo Horizonte in 2006. He has relevant experience in different Triple Helix organizations in Brazil, in management positions. Professional with knowledge of the business environment, social responsibility / third sector, and education in Brazil and Latin America, especially in the aspects of institutional management, market intelligence, network development, has a degree in social communication and public administration. He obtained his specialization, masters, and a doctorate in these areas, and the international diploma GUDS / Urban Management and Sustainable Development (by the World Bank / UN-ECLAC / MINURVI / Italian Coop) In 2001. Has a solid background in Social Program Management, Strategic Planning, BSC, Participatory Appraisal, Project Logical Framework, Resource Mobilization, and Fundraising (by The Resource Alliance) held in Brazil and abroad.

I am a wildlife ecologist with a background in ecology, psychology, and conservation biology. I have over a decade of experience supporting biodiversity conservation in various contexts working across the ecological and social sciences in India and Liberia (West Africa). My strengths include designing and implementing biodiversity monitoring programmes, stakeholder engagement, transboundary conservation, community-based natural resource management, strategic communication, proposal development, fundraising, grant management, project coordination, capacity building, and implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems. In addition, I have supported the implementation of conservation interventions focused on protected area management, OneHealth, policy development and sustainable livelihood. My research interest is working at the intersection of conservation science and policy development to balance developmental and environmental objectives within a sustainable development framework.

I am a science communicator specialising in wildlife conservation. My passion is making nature and the conservation sector more accessible and inclusive. I'm looking forward to sharing ideas and being part of this supportive community of conservationists!

David Kabambo is the founder and Executive Director of Peace for Conservation (PFC ) and holds a B. A. degree in Social Work, a Postgraduate Diploma in Wildlife Management, and is presently working towards a Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management and Assessment. 

David has a particular skill-set in supporting the transformation of people’s understanding and viewpoints regarding the benefits of conservation. He has had real impacts at the grassroots level, working with bush meat poachers, for alternative livelihoods such as wildlife conservation educators. He has developed and implemented a highly successful employment schemes whereby former poachers a recruited as community conservation educator, they visit at schools and local communities to advocate wildlife conservation, the wider benefits to Tanzania’s national income (for example eco-tourism) and provide real-life testimonials regarding the negative impacts of the bush-meat trade.

Since 2016, David has donated 47 tricycles to disabled person greatly increasing their comfort and ability to lead normal lives. He has set himself a goal of donating 100 tricycles by 2025. He is keen that local disabled person do not miss out on experiencing local wildlife, such as the magical ‘Big Five’  and has arranged dedicated tours to the Serengeti. National park .He also feels that these persons living close to protected areas in the Serengeti ecosystem have a vital and active role as ambassadors for wildlife conservation.

Tara Hetz is a Master’s student in the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department at the University of Utah. Her research interests cover two primary areas: 1) the role that adventure tourism plays in biodiversity conservation and improvement of community livelihoods; and, 2) benefit-sharing from protected area tourism and community capacity-building related to conservation and tourism initiatives.  She wants to help better engage communities in protected area conservation design, the custodianship of natural resources, and improvements that benefit their livelihoods.

Wildlife Conservation masters student

I am a conservation enthusiast with a bias for wildlife fauna. I intend to specialize in project management. I am also looking for more opportunities in conservation all over the world, especially in the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Namibia, and Tanzania.

Hi, my name is Ouma Oluoko. I am the CEO of Oluokos Signature. Am a highly experienced tour operator, in touch with indigenous communities and ecosystems around East and Central Africa. I am extremely passionate about environmental conservation. My company, Oluokos Signature, provides the essential linkage between supply and demand by liaising with several eco-conscious organizations to design responsible tour packages that integrate environmental, cultural, and social considerations. I help my clients to responsibly experience pure value holiday bliss in packages within their budgets and style; Thereby implementing positive environmental and social impacts. My strong interpersonal skills enable me to quickly adapt and build rapport with my clients, fellow tour operators, staff and guides thereby improving my efficiency and boosting professionalism. I absolutely love the outdoors and bird watching is my cup of tea, anytime. I also enjoy hiking, biking, and sky-watching. My personal mantra is ‘Travel opens your heart, opens your mind, and fills your life with stories to tell.