Prof Andre Ganswindt, director of the Mammal Research Institute, recently sat down with Yves Vanderhaeghen to discuss the importance of fundamental and applied research in the modern age. Click here to read the article and find out more about the work being done under the Oppenheimer Chair for Emerging African Scientists in Non-invasive Wildlife Research.
The Mammal Research Institute joined in on the recent Africa Week celebrations hosted by Future Africa, University of Pretoria. With the prestigious event bringing together an array of African and global scientific leaders in science, the theme for 2023 was “Open Africa, Open Science”. Student representatives from the MRI were on hand to discuss the work being done across their respective research groups, and to promote open dialogue with delegates attending the event. A massive thank you to all of the students who gave up their time to attend the event and share their exciting research!
Loraine Shuttleworth, a PhD student with the Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit, has been awarded the prestigious Exploration Fund Grant from The Explorers Club in support of her PhD fieldwork. Her project will evaluate the quality of lactation by South Africa’s female southern right whales to inform population health and growth rates.
This project will also use photogrammetric assessments and a variety of laboratory techniques including stable isotope-, fatty acid- and endocrine analysis. For this research, Loraine is also the recipient of the Society for Marine Mammalogy’s Small Grant in Aid of Research.
Congratulations Loraine!
Prof Michael Somers, Professor in the Department of Zoology & Entomology, Eugene Marais Chair of Wildlife Management, and the Mammal Research Institute (MRI), recently delivered his inaugural address entitled “Large carnivore management in southern Africa: challenges and opportunities”.
His lecture highlighted the many threats and challenges that large carnivores face. Drawing attention to how these issues continue to evolve, Prof Somers’ address called on all stakeholders to collaborate and respond responsibly in order to find meaningful solutions moving forward.
You can view Prof Somers’ inaugural address here.
Dr Grant Hall is excited for the new UPSIL developments
We are pleased to announce some exciting news regarding the UP Stable Isotope Laboratory. We are getting an awesome renovation/upgrade and we will also be expanding our repertoire of stable isotope analyses. More details on these will be made available once all our equipment has been re-commissioned and tested. The planning stage is almost complete and the actual work in the lab should begin in the next few weeks.
Unfortunately, the renovations mean that the laboratory is currently not able to provide stable isotope analyses or any training. At this stage, we are not sure as to how long the actual work will take, but it is most likely that we will be back in action sometime in the second half of 2023. The UPSTIL Manager, Dr Grant Hall, will provide an update as to when this will take place and also give everyone interested details as to what the new and improved UP Stable Isotope Laboratory will have to offer.
Our apologies for not being able to assist with any analyses for the next few months, but Dr Grant Hall will be able to assist with any queries/questions relating to new projects and services.
Tshepiso Lesedi Majelantle, a PhD Student at the Mammal Research Institute, has been granted the American Society of Mammalogists travel award for the global south to attend the International Mammalogy Congress in Alaska this July.
Reflecting on the award, Tshepiso remarked, “It feels so surreal! I keep waiting for the email that says it was an accident. But I am really looking forward to it, and I am exceptionally grateful for this once in a lifetime opportunity”.
We look forward to Tshepiso representing the MRI at this prestigious conference later this year, we know you will make us proud!
Photo credit: jacob macmillan
Mammal Research Institute fellow, Dr Frank Cuozzo, has been spearheading research into the peril that domestic dogs present for bushbabies close to urban areas. This research forms part of a broader project investigating the larger-than-expected toll of human civilisation on non-human primates living in Africa. Read the full press release here.
On a recent visit to the Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague where she was hosted by the Animal Physiology and Behaviour Research Team in the Faculty of Tropical Agricscienes, Dr Andrea Webster presented lectures on Wildlife Management and the use of stable isotopes to address conservation issues. She also participated in a scientific seminar where she outlined work from her PhD that focused on heavy metals in protected areas and her postdoctoral studies on black backed jackal and brown hyaena. In addition to networking, several research topics, funding opportunities and multidisciplinary research possibilities were discussed for future collaboration in South Africa and abroad.
Mammal Research Institute Director, Professor André Ganswindt was recently chosen to receive an Exceptional Academic Achievement award at the University of Pretoria’s 22nd Annual Academic Achievers’ Awards, and was acknowledged for his outstanding interdisciplinary research. Prof. Ganswindt has numerous collaborations, both local and international, and he supervises many students in their post graduate studies. He also holds the Oppenheimer Chair for Emerging African Scientists in Non-invasive Wildlife Research. Prof. Ganswindt said that he feels honoured to have been chosen for this award and is grateful for the recognition that it brings to his research field and team.
African wild dogs are South Africa’s most endangered carnivores. Now loved for their unique personalities, playful nature, and reliance on pack dynamics for social support, wild dogs have had a chequered past filled with persecution and human conflict. This is largely due to the way wild dogs kill and consume their prey. Unable to deliver a killing bite, and reliant on assistance from pack members to hunt species much larger than themselves.
Read MoreThe University of Pretoria’s Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit recently completed the 43rd annual aerial survey to monitor the South African population of southern right whales. These surveys are a vital tool for monitoring the recovery of this population, which has been increasing at a rate of 6.5% per year since international protection of the population against whaling.
Read MoreA day in the sun at a rotting carcass surrounded by lions may not be everyone’s idea of a successful day at the office, but for Dr Andrea Webster, faeces from different species provides valuable clues about how pollutants can affect wildlife populations in protected areas.
Read MoreSatellite transmitters were deployed on four adult female southern right whales, allowing for detailed investigations into the migration and feeding behaviour of these animals.
Read MoreLarge mammals shape their environment and are of great importance to the tourism and conservation industry.
Read MoreThe Mammal Research Institute’s Whale Unit is currently conducting boat-based fieldwork in Walker Bay in the Western Cape. The main species of interest is the Bryde’s whale, a sleek rorqual with three ridges on its rostrum and an upright, curved dorsal fin towards the back of its body. Usually shy, elusive and fast-moving, they travel long distances in search of their prey, meaning that data collection on Bryde’s whales is both exciting and challenging!
Read MoreThe International Credit Mobility Project supports the mobilities of students and teaching staff amongst the project partners in the Czech Republic and South Africa, between the period of 2020 to 2023. The main project partners being the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU) and Mammal Research Institute at the University of Pretoria (UP). The objective of these mobilities is focused on the exchange of teaching staff and Ph.D. students between these two partner institutions.
Read MoreThe southern right whale, South Africa’s charismatic poster child for conservation, has been well on the road to recovery since commercial whaling finally ceased in the 1960s. Sadly, this conservation success story now hangs in the balance as they face a new and deeply concerning threat to their recovery.
Read MoreMeet Low de Vries – friendly, enthusiastic, adventurous and absolutely loves fieldwork! He is passionate about bats and has broad interests and experience in several different fields of zoology. Low is a great example of how hard work, commitment and enthusiasm pays off with great opportunities.
Read MoreThe Whale Unit of the University of Pretoria’s Mammal Research Institute (MRI) will be conducting their annual aerial survey of southern right whales from 27 September through to mid-October. This is the 41st annual southern right whale photo-identification aerial survey, making this one of the longest running datasets on any marine mammal worldwide.
Read MoreTwo hundred and seventy cetacean experts worldwide have signed an open statement to global leaders calling for action to urgently address the precarious situation of many populations of whales, dolphins and porpoises (collectively known as ‘cetaceans’). Threats of extinction due to harmful human activity, such as incidental bycatch by fisheries, chemical and noise pollution, global warming and ship strikes, are faced by many species.
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Established in 1966, the University of Pretoria’s Mammal Research Institute is the premier entity for African mammalian research
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