PhD researcher Ella Bradford is investigating ecological and anthropogenic drivers of African wild dog dispersal across Zambian ecosystems. By modelling estimated abundance of Kafue National Park's wild dog population, Ella will map dispersal across protected areas and human-dominated landscapes.

Trophy hunting is one of conservation’s most divisive debates. During a screening of Sarah Roberts' film The Hunt: Into the Grey, Amy Dickman joined a panel with diverse perspectives, challenging assumptions & creating honest dialogue about the balance between people & wildlife. @biology.ox.ac.uk

To celebrate 30 years of the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme, photographer Adrien Lesaffre presented an exhibition of stunning images captured in the Afroalpine ecosystem. Highlighting the power of art and science, the photos showcase one of the world's rarest canids. @biology.ox.ac.uk

Meet PhD researcher Hsin-Cheng Ho Hsin-Cheng’s research investigates competition between Taiwan's domestic cats and endangered leopard cat, evaluating how human activities may intensify this competition. 👉 wildcru.org/members/hsin... 📸 Cat: Joel Sartore @biology.ox.ac.uk

Morgan Hauptfleisch (Director of Research at Namibia Nature Foundation) joined us to discuss the controversy surrounding active management of elephants where their numbers have seemingly exceeded ecological limits. How should conservationists tackle this conundrum? @biology.ox.ac.uk

Wishing the happiest of birthdays to Sir David Attenborough, who turns 100 today. A century which has influenced how we understand and protect the natural world. 📸 Original photo courtesy of Cambridge Conservation Initiative 1/5 @biology.ox.ac.uk

Culling & conservation may not seem to go together, but when there are no natural predators and populations are increasing, culling may be the only viable option. We chat to Jess Frater @wildcru.bsky.social about the Scottish #deercull, public perceptions, and conservation messaging. 1/2

Laza Andrianandrianina (2022 WildCRU diploma alum) shared expertise in sustainable funding mechanisms to support Madagascar's biodiversity At the Madagascar Protected Areas & Biodiversity Fund, Laza looks for scientifically robust, practical, & cost-effective approaches to monitor impacts on nature

Barbary macaques in Gibraltar have developed a surprising habit - eating soil 🐒 Researchers found this behaviour to be especially common in summer, when tourist numbers (and snack-sharing) peak. [1/2] @biology.ox.ac.uk @gibmacproj.bsky.social

Moreangels Mbizah (WildCRU Diploma & DPhil alumna) shared how her organisation, Wildlife Conservation Action, works alongside communities living on the frontlines of human–wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe to develop practical, locally led solutions that protect both livelihoods and biodiversity.

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 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...

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

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

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. [1/3] @biology.ox.ac.uk @mplsoxford.bsky.social

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 ⬇️

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 [1/3]

Meet PhD researcher Singye Wangmo 🐯 Singye’s work explores large carnivore conservation in Bhutan, focusing on tigers and leopards to develop policy-relevant strategies that guide biodiversity conservation, development planning, and human–wildlife coexistence. 👉 wildcru.org/members/sing...

Richard Wrangham (Professor of Biological Anthropology at Harvard University) shared insights from human and primate evolution, exploring how alpha alliances shape society. With special thanks to Lady Margaret Hall for hosting the 2026 Heron-Allen Lecture. @biology.ox.ac.uk @mplsoxford.bsky.social

Happy World Wildlife Day! 🦁 Here are just some of the species our researchers study alongside collaborators from around the world. From animal behaviour and ecosystem dynamics to human-wildlife interactions and much more, our team works to support conservation efforts through data-driven research.

Dylan Feldmeier's research explores reintroduction & population dynamics of African wild dogs in Zambia's Greater Liuwa Ecosystem. Drawing on ~20 years of research & monitoring, he examines how disease, competition, prey availability, & human activity shape long-term persistence.

Congratulations to the new Dr Guilherme Costa Alvarenga! 👏 Gui’s PhD used landscape-scale ecological modelling of jaguars in his native Brazil to assess population connectivity across the species’ entire geographical range. A huge well done from everyone at WildCRU! @biology.ox.ac.uk

Applications for our Diploma in Wildlife Conservation are closing soon. The course will run from October 2026 to May 2027. We have received applications from around the world, but would especially like to encourage those from the Middle East and China to express interest. 1/2 @biology.ox.ac.uk

We welcomed Toryn Whitehead (King’s College London) to explore rewilding, coexistence, and the extinction of experience. He explored what is lost when animals disappear, how long-term absence shapes ideas of belonging, and the importance of conversations with sheep farmers and hunters in research.

Meet PhD researcher Dylan Feldmeier Dylan is part of the Zambian Carnivore Programme and has spent nearly a decade working across Eastern and Southern Africa on issues related to large carnivore ecology, conservation, and human–wildlife coexistence. www.wildcru.org/members/dyla... 1/2

Our Postgraduate Diploma in Wildlife Conservation is still open for applications. Find out more about the course 👉https://wildcru.org/study/diploma/ Application deadline: Tuesday 3rd March 2026 Please first share your CV with us at [email protected] @biology.ox.ac.uk

How do some of Africa’s top predators live side by side without constant conflict? Using thousands of camera-trap photos from Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, researchers explored how lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas share space and time. Read more 👉 doi.org/10.1002/oik.... @biology.ox.ac.uk

Should we protect an emblematic species if it comes at the cost of another – especially in ecosystems still recovering from human impact? New research in collaboration with @wildcru.bsky.social researchers explores the ethical and ecological trade-offs. ➡️ Read more: https://tinyurl.com/2th925ts

New research @wildcru.bsky.social estimates >7000 adult penguins in one colony were killed in a four-year study; most weren't fully eaten, indicating they weren't all killed for food But the study also indicates pumas alone are unlikely to drive the colony to extinction ⬇️

Pumas are reclaiming their historical range in Patagonia but they pose a threat to defenceless prey - Magellanic penguins. A 4-year study estimates 7,000+ adult penguins were killed. Predation alone won’t cause extinction, but it can slow colony growth. 👉 doi.org/10.1016/j.jn... @biology.ox.ac.uk

Jaguars are threatened by habitat loss and persecution, but where can they still thrive? Using GPS data from 172 jaguars, researchers mapped suitable habitat across their historic range, revealing strong selection for productive areas near water & away from human landscapes doi.org/10.1038/s415...

In floodplains around Zakouma National Park, Chad, nomadic herders and settled farmers lose livestock, mainly to spotted hyenas and disease. Nomads lose more in the dry season, while losses rise for farmers in the wet season, requiring tailored solutions doi.org/10.1111/aje.... @biology.ox.ac.uk

WildCRU is happy to be supporting @saveourwildcats.bsky.social with their continued efforts to restore Scottish wildcat populations.

Ecology terms can be deceptively similar but their meanings matter. Using mesopredator and mesocarnivore interchangeable blurs our understanding of how species function in ecosystems. Researchers call for context-specific language to communicate clearly. doi.org/10.1002%2Fec... @biology.ox.ac.uk

The next Postgraduate Diploma in Wildlife Conservation will run from October 2026 until May 2027 in Oxford's new Life and Mind Building. Application deadline: Tuesday 3rd March 2026. Please first share your CV with us: [email protected] wildcru.org/study/diploma/ @biology.ox.ac.uk

Join Guilherme Costa Alvarenga on the Aussie Wildlife Show. From jaguar movement and colouration to hunting strategy and human-jaguar conflict, Gui shares insights from his PhD and fieldwork, including how native Brazilian wildlife shaped his career path. Listen 👉 open.spotify.com/episode/5jZK...

Proposed bans on importing hunting trophies to Europe fuel major debate, but what does the public think? A study in Germany shows low overall acceptance of elephant and zebra trophy hunting, with views shaped by personal values and detailed hunt context. doi.org/10.1016/j.bi... @biology.ox.ac.uk

Africa’s lions are increasingly targeted for the illegal wildlife trade, driven by demand for their body parts and linked to organised transnational crime. This hidden threat risks severe population declines and local extinctions without urgent action. conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....

Lions, leopards, and hyaenas are essential to healthy ecosystems, but they are disappearing from Cameroon’s Benoué region. Read the paper led by Serge Kamgang 👉 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.... [1/3] @biology.ox.ac.uk

Congratulations to the new Dr Yusuf Samsudin! 👏 During his PhD, Yusuf has combined humanities, social science, and natural science to better understand how elephants coexist with different communities in Sumatra, Indonesia. A huge well done from everyone at WildCRU! @biology.ox.ac.uk

Congratulations to the new Dr Chrishen Gomez! 👏 Throughout his PhD, Chrishen’s passion for Bornean wildlife has shaped his research, with a focus on exploring the use of DNA technology to understand the population histories of Sunda clouded leopards on the island. A huge well done from WildCRU!