I’m a Ugandan public health and One Health specialist connecting human, wildlife, and ecosystem health. My journey began in a rural village, where health was only seen in clinics. Working with Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) taught me how communities, wildlife, and ecosystems are inseparably linked. I lead programs across Uganda’s protected areas with Village Health and Conservation Teams, youth, women’s groups, and reformed poachers to implement disease surveillance, biosecurity, and community-led conservation solutions. I hold an MPH and a postgraduate certificate in Global Health (Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface, University of Geneva), contribute to peer-reviewed publications, and present at global forums, including the World One Health Congress. I believe community ownership is not an add-on—it’s the intervention. One Health is not a theory; it’s people, relationships, and shared responsibility. 🔗 LinkedIn Profile

I am Somoye Olawale John, a dedicated wildlife management professional with over a decade of experience in the field. My journey in wildlife conservation began with a B.Sc. (Hons) in Applied Zoology from Olabisi Onabanjo University, where I developed a deep interest in the intricate dynamics of animal populations and their ecosystems. This passion led me to pursue a Master of Wildlife Management from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB). Currently, I serve as the Principal Zoo Curator at FUNAAB Zoo Park, a role I have held since 2021. In this capacity, I oversee animal husbandry standards, museum keeping, and taxidermy, as well as the construction and maintenance of zoo facilities. My responsibilities also include research, training, and mentoring students, capturing and restraining zoo animals, and administering care and treatment to the animals. Before this role, I was the Zoo Curator, where I gained extensive experience in animal care, facility maintenance, and visitor engagement. My professional interests lie in wildlife ecology, with a particular focus on primate population dynamics and foraging behavior. I have contributed to several research projects and publications, including studies on ectoparasites of domestic dogs and antimicrobial resistance in non-human primates. I am an active member of several professional bodies, including the Nigeria Society for Environmental Conservation (NSEC), Wildlife Management Society of Nigeria (WISON), Nigeria Association of Zoo Gardens and Parks (NAZAP), and the Zoological Society of Nigeria (ZSN). These affiliations keep me connected with the latest developments and best practices in wildlife conservation and management. In my free time, I enjoy reading, meeting new people, and playing chess. I am excited to be a part of the WildHub community and look forward to exchanging knowledge, ideas, and experiences with fellow conservation enthusiasts.

My background is mainly in species conservation, education and capacity exchange. I researched mother-young interactions in gorillas and chimpanzees, in captivity and the wild. After that, I worked for three years in Indonesia, where I developed and implemented youth ambassador and community engagement programmes on local and regional scales. I co-founded WildHub, a community of nature conservation professionals, in 2020 and work as their Community Lead. I am furthermore on the Advisory Board of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent where I obtained my PhD on capacity development for conservation in 2022.