Suhail Bashir
Environmental Consultant, WildHub Community Advocate, ENS Environmnetal Consultancy Sharjah
Experienced Environmental Engineer/Consultant with a proven track record of leading successful environmental initiatives and delivering sustainable solutions. My expertise encompasses a diverse range of areas, including Baseline Studies, Environment Impact Assessments (EIA/IEE/ESIA), Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and Environmental Conservation & Sustainability.
Currently, I am making a significant impact as an Environmental Engineer/Consultant at one of the leading Environmental Consultancy, specializing in preparing comprehensive environmental study reports for clients primarily from Hamriyah Free Zone Sharjah and Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority Dubai. These reports play a crucial role in promoting environmental compliance and sustainable practices within the industry.
I am Sangay Dorji from Bhutan. I am a Conservation Biologist.
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.
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
John Dung Rwang
Student, A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, University of Jos.
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.
ANYANG OMARIA KENNETH
RANGELAND SECURITY ASSISTANT, TAITA TAVETA WILDLIFE CONSERVANCIES ASSOCIATION
I am the CEO of based UK startup ioLight. We make the only pocket microscope that can capture and share images of cells from the screen of your mobile phone.
I joined WildHub because conservationists globally find that a microscope that can travel anywhere that they can is now an essential part of their gear. The microscope allows you to make instant decisions in the field. It has been used in The Arctic, The Amazon, The Antarctic, and Mount Everest. Most of our microscopes are exported, with 50% sold in the USA.
We hope to connect with field ecologists, particularly those interested in citizen science. We can help you collect large volumes of rich data quickly and inexpensively.
We are looking forward to learning how you want to view microscopic subjects and to help make your field work faster and simpler.
I look forward to meeting you.
Ana Yi Soto is a specialist in communications and cooperation for development. Her 12-year professional experience spans the non-profit and private sectors, including NGOs such as Conservation International and Wildlife Conservation Society. She is knowledgeable in rural development, conservation programs, and youth movements across Latin America, Africa, and Europe.
In 2007, she co-founded the International Network of Students for Peace, RED ESPAZ Peru, and on Earth Day 2023, she launched Crea Planeta, a creative agency for planet restoration based in social marketing and behavioral insights. Ana is a Peruvian national and lives in Madagascar, close to the Makira National Park.
My research focus is the cultural and utilitarian ways rural communities value wildlife with a focus on endangered apes in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I used mixed methods including doing interviews with community members and reconnaissance walks in adjacent village forests. My goal is to work for a conservation organization that partners with communities to find conservation solutions and implement initiatives that benefit both people and animals relevant to the local context.
I not so recently obtained my Master’s in Wildlife Management Engineering and have entered the workforce in an entry level position. Currently working as an environmental education intern for the only national zoological garden in South Africa. I am looking for new opportunities to gain skills and knowledge that will enable me to be successful and an asset in whichever organisation or company (within wildlife conservation) that I collaborate with or join. I look forward to gaining and building great partnerships in this community.
I am a Science Communicator with a big passion for connecting people back to their inner-child's wonder for wildlife. I believe that everyone deep-down has a love for animals, and I want to help them find it! My skills include content creation, brand strategy, short-form video production, social media marketing, and visual storytelling. Motivating my growth in all these skills is my passion for what I do. Long story short, I love animals and I love talking about them! I enjoy working with conservation organizations to expand their reach and impact through Reels, carousels, TikToks, email marketing, and print designs. If you have a project that you feel I could be a valuable addition to, I would enjoy connecting with you and discussing new opportunities for science communication and visual storytelling.
I am Marjan Maria, a young and ambitious wildlife biologist also a proud mom to a baby girl from Bangladesh. I am passionate about conserving the biodiversity of my country and protecting its endangered species. I am particularly interested in the behavioral ecology of primates and herpetofauna. I have researched the Bengal slow loris, Phayre's langur, hoolock gibbon, and other endangered species in Bangladesh. I have also worked on developing conservation strategies for these species. I am also interested in the impacts of road infrastructure on wildlife. I am currently working on a project to study roadkill in primates and other animals in Bangladesh. I believe that wildlife conservation is essential for our planet's health and future generations' well-being. I am committed to working to protect the biodiversity of Bangladesh and to ensure that its wildlife can thrive for generations to come. I am eager to learn and grow. I am passionate about making a difference in the world. I am grateful for the opportunity to work in wildlife conservation and I am excited to see what the future holds.
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.
Maria is B.Forestry graduate from the Department of Forestry and Wildlife at University Of Uyo. Maria is enthusiastic about forest and wildlife management ,biometrics, mensuration, ecology, biodiversity conservation, climate change impact and environmental sustainability.
Maria has worked as a Forest Officer Assistant, Volunteer,Forest Intern and a Customer Service Officer. She's currently looking out for scholarships and assistantships in Universities and opportunities for further study and learning.
Maria is skilled in Data analysis and Business Intelligence, Environmental management,Virtual Assistance, Interpersonal communication and team work. She is teachable and always ready to learn.
Maria joined Wildhub to learn more about Wildlife species management and monitoring, species biodiversity conservation and work opportunities outside Nigeria.
Arvind Kumar Chaurasia
Additional Commissioner, IRS(C&IT), Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC)
I am Additional Commissioner from Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) with vast experience of law enforcement especially in tackling transnational smuggling including willdife trafficking. Also, as an expert I have been conducting sessions on various aspects of wildlife crimes and its convergence with other serious crimes, legal and enforcement framework to counter it, wildlife cyber crime, OSINT for combating wildlife crime, combating money laundering associated with wildlife crime, CITES, role of Customs in tackling the menace of wildlife crime, Digital Forensics etc. for forest, police, customs and other enforcement agencies' officials. I have also been invited as an expert by UNODC ROSA to train the law enforcement officials of Sri Lanka on combating wildlife cyber crimes.
Hello Everyone :) My field is in Interior Architecture from the accredited Columbia College Chicago, with most of my years with small design/build firms here in the PNW. I'm now freelancing so I can build Wildlifeel at Home - a blog and design studio centered around 'conservation-based design/build practices' - so I can help change my industry from within. I seek to create homes in such a way that allows wildlife to keep theirs, too, because one home no longer needs to be sacrificed for the other to thrive. I also live off-grid in a small one-room cabin on acreage in the foothills of a national park. I care for the woodland creatures, the food forest, endless evergreens, fish laden creeks, wildlife meadows and more. I'm here to make long-lasting friendships and to learn from the many other conservationists on WildHub!