I'm PhD student working on bats.I'm passionate for animals conservation.
Hi!
My name is Osvaldo Abrao, I am Mozambican and Conservation Biologist.
I am working in Zinave National Park, as Carnivore Reintroduction Project Coordinator.
Zinave, is one an Conservation Area in Recover Process and now the population of prey are growing well. As result, we have natural return of predators, mainly lions. In addition of lions I am working with hyenas, leopards and other small predators.
I am very interested to learn more about predators, species conservation, restoration, how engage community in conservation and to hear more success histories in conservation around the world!
I am currently a Master science student in chemistry and my research focuses on removal of organic materials in water bodies to ensure that the environment is maintained, (this includes prevention of harm to aquatic lives)
Scientist transitioning to be a more applied, people-, and conservation-centric conservation technologist – ‘an expert with a vision and mission’.
Academic Advisor and General Manager at HOME | Lajuma Research Centre.
Overview
The Lajuma Research Centre (LRC) is at the forefront of ecological research and conservation in Southern Africa, playing a crucial role in the study and protection of one of the continent's most unique and biodiverse regions. The centre is nestled within a 430-hectare expanse in the western part of the Soutpansberg mountain range in South Africa’s northernmost province of Limpopo, within the 5,000-hectare Luvhondo Private Nature Reserve. This reserve forms part of the UNESCO Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, a designation as a Natural Heritage Site that underscores its global significance as a centre for endemism.
Ecological Significance
- Topography and Climate: The Soutpansberg mountain range features altitudes ranging from 250 to 1,748 meters at top of Letjuma, creating a diverse range of microhabitats, spanning wetlands, thickets, grasslands, savanna, fynbos, and montane forests. The region's north-south topographical gradient and east-west rainfall gradient contribute to regional ecological heterogeneity. The mid-section of the 250 km long Soutpansberg mountain has an annual rainfall of up to 2000 mm while the rainfall in the western part can be as low as 340 mm/year.
- Biodiversity: The Soutpansberg is renowned for its botanical diversity. It is home to approximately 3,000 plant species from 1,066 genera, including 24 locally endemic species. The area has been recognized as a centre of endemism and floristic diversity. The Centre’s habitats support an impressive 145 species or 60% of all mammal species in South Africa, including the elusive leopard (Panthera pardus) and the rare Samango monkey (Cercopithecus albogularis). The rich biodiversity includes numerous bird species (56% of SAs bird species), amphibians, invertebrates, and reptiles (140 species), with numerous species endemic to the Soutpansberg mountain.
- All five primate species are found at LRC, providing unique opportunities to study interspecific interactions.
Research and Education
- History and Founder: Established in the early 1990s by Professor Ian Gaigher, a seasoned zoologist with over 40 years of experience in research, teaching, and conservation, LRC has become a pivotal institution for ecological research. Professor Gaigher's vision was to create a centre where both local and international researchers could explore and contribute to the understanding of the region’s biodiversity.
- Academic Contributions: The Centre has hosted over 500 students from national and international institutions who participated in the Lajuma Programme, or conducted their own projects, publishing over 100 peer-reviewed articles. These students engage in a range of research activities, including internships, mini-projects, and higher-degree research (Honours, Masters, and PhD), significantly advancing our knowledge of the region's ecosystems and species.
Conservation and Community Engagement
UNESCO Vhembe Biosphere Reserve: The LRC is an integral part of the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, which was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2009. This designation highlights the region's importance for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Many of the Centre's staff are actively involved in the Reserve's governance and conservation efforts, ensuring that scientific research informs and supports effective conservation strategies.
Mission and Goals
Research, education, community outreach, and conservation. The Centre is dedicated to preserving biodiversity through innovative and sustainable solutions. This involves working closely with local communities to develop and implement strategies that minimize the impact of wildlife on human activities while ensuring the protection of both wildlife and natural habitats.
Joie Didier SOSSOUKPE
Fundraising, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Benin Environment and Education Society
I am Opeyemi Blessing OYAWALE, a first-class wildlife and ecotourism management graduate from the prestigious University of Ibadan, Nigeria, fueled by a deep passion for wildlife research and conservation consultancy.
My academic journey has been a quest to understand and contribute to the delicate balance between humanity and the natural world. With a firm foundation in wildlife and ecotourism management, I am on a dedicated path towards becoming a wildlife researcher and consultant.
Motivated by my curiosity to explore the complex lives of wildlife, I want to establish a name for myself as a researcher and provide accurate evaluation for conservation initiatives. In addition, my goal is to provide sustainable practice consultations that help close the gap between human activity and the health of the various ecosystems on our planet.
I'm continually looking for scholarship opportunities to further my education overseas as part of my quest for excellence. By doing this, I hope to improve my perspectives on the world, my knowledge, and my abilities, positioning myself to have a bigger influence in the field of wildlife research and conservation.
My vision includes promoting responsible wildlife management, becoming a catalyst for positive change, and encouraging peaceful cohabitation between people and the natural world.
I'm eager to connect with fellow researchers, conservationists, and professionals in related fields. Whether you share a similar passion or have insights to offer, I welcome the opportunity to build meaningful connections and explore collaborations that contribute to the betterment of our environment.
I would love to connect with you if you share my enthusiasm for wildlife research and conservation consulting, and if you have any insider knowledge regarding scholarship chances. Please get in touch, and together we can set out on a mission to change the world we live in for the better.
Thank you for stopping by, and I look forward to connecting with you and like-minded individuals who share a commitment to wildlife preservation
Miguel Angel Cueva
Parkranger, Secretaria de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable Prov. Salta - Argentina
With a solid background in conservation and protection of Protected Natural Areas, I have extensively worked in the field within the National System of Protected Areas and the Protected Areas System of the Province of Salta. My direct involvement in the declaration and establishment of seven protected areas within the Provincial System, as well as the designation of a natural monument, has allowed me to take on management and leadership roles both within the Provincial System and the Provincial Park Ranger Corps. Throughout my career, I have led the coordination of management tools and projects, in addition to possessing the ability to teach and train personnel in my area of expertise. My deep understanding of biodiversity conservation and management policies underpins my commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development. I am eager to continue collaborating on initiatives that promote nature conservation and the well-being of local communities.
Cleo has an M.Sc. in Applied Animal Behaviour & Animal Welfare from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (University of Edinburgh) and a B.Sc. in Animal Biology from Stirling University (UK). She has extensive experience in assisting and managing complex research projects for multiple research institutes and private laboratories. She has built up a strong technical background in the South African Bushveld deciphering wild animal behaviour and bio-acoustics, in cancer research and behind an electron microscope looking for a link between positive animal welfare practices and the abundance of microglia (the brain’s primary innate immune cells).
I have 8 years working experience in Sustainable Forestry, Fisheries, Wildlife Management and general Community based natural resources management (CBNRM) working in the North Luangwa National Park of Zambia. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife management and Biology and a Master’s degree in Climate Change and sustainable development. Currently, I am supporting the WeForest Zambia team in the implementation of the Luangwa livelihoods and conservation Activity project based in Mpika, Muchinga Province. I am based in the North Luangwa National Park Landscape, North Eastern Zambia.
Hi! I'm a Latin Biologist who loves nature; with experience in environmental education focused on children and young people. I work with amphibians and reptiles, specifically with salamanders and crocodiles. I like art and data digitalization. Currently working as an Ecologist at Centro de Datos para la Conservación - CDC CECON USAC. Also, I have collaborated on a project on food security through insect consumption, working with indigenous women in the western part of my country.
Md. Sabbir Ahammed is an enthusiastic post-graduate student with an unwavering passion for wildlife conservation and a specific focus on herpetofauna research. He was born and raised in a small village surrounded by nature, where he developed a deep connection with the environment from a young age. His fascination with reptiles and amphibians began early in childhood, fostering a lifelong passion for these often misunderstood creatures, which led him to pursue a degree in Zoology at the Jagannath University, Dhaka 1100, Bangladesh.
Sabbir has actively shaped his academic journey to specialize in herpetofauna research. Eager to contribute to the understanding and conservation of reptiles and amphibians, he is engaged in various research projects related to his chosen field. His determination led him to work alongside esteemed herpetologists, studying the behavior, ecology, and conservation needs of diverse amphibian and reptile species. As a result, he completed both of his undergraduate term papers on herpetofauna.
Sabbir's commitment to wildlife conservation extends beyond the classroom and laboratory. Driven by a sense of responsibility for the Earth's ecosystems, Sabbir became involved in various campus organizations dedicated to environmental causes, including the Nature Study and Conservation Club (NSCC), Department of Zoology, Jagannath University. He plays a key role in organizing awareness campaigns, seminars, and educational workshops to inspire his peers to participate actively in conservation efforts. By fostering a sense of understanding and appreciation, he strives to bridge the gap between humans and these essential components of ecosystems.
Apart from working on various research projects on different wildlife as a volunteer and research assistant, he is a grantee of The Explorers Club (awarded the Rising Explorer Club grant in 2023 and 2024). Currently, he is the principal investigator of a project focused on lizard diversity and their conservation.
Driven by a desire to share his knowledge, Sabbir actively maintains a social media presence dedicated to herpetofauna and other wildlife conservation. His engaging content not only educates the public but also inspires others to join the cause and protect biodiversity.
As he advances in his undergraduate studies, his goal is to contribute meaningful research that informs conservation strategies for herpetofauna. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for preserving biodiversity, he envisions a future where reptiles and amphibians are respected and actively safeguarded for upcoming generations.