All photography provided by MRI staff and students
Established in 1966, the University of Pretoria’s Mammal Research Institute is the premier entity for African mammalian research.
Our Vision and Mission
The Mammal Research Institute (MRI) at the University of Pretoria is a leading African-based centre of excellence in mammalogy, improving knowledge and capacity building to address conservation and management challenges.
Our mission is to advance our understanding and the conservation of mammals through impactful research, professional development and training in response to locally relevant and internationally significant challenges of the 21st century.
Our goals are four-fold:
To conduct and support basic and applied scientific research on all aspects of mammalogy, particularly the interactions between mammals and their environment.
To actively contribute to the conservation and management of the mammal fauna of Africa and beyond.
To promote mammalogy through education and outreach.
To maintain and galvanise national and international collaborations in the field of mammalogy and related conservation management.
“Mammals of every species indulge in play. Games are Nature’s way of preparing us to face difficult realities.”
What We've Achieved
Pioneering Mammal Research: Conducted groundbreaking studies on terrestrial and marine mammals, informing conservation and management strategies.
Long-Term Ecological Monitoring: Established decades-long research programs tracking population trends, habitat use, and ecological interactions.
Capacity Building & Training: Educated and mentored postgraduate students from Africa and beyond, developing the next generation of conservation scientists.
International Conservation Impact: Provided key scientific data to global organizations such as the IUCN, IWC, CMS, and SCAR, shaping conservation policies.
Advancing Scientific Knowledge: Published hundreds of peer-reviewed studies on mammal ecology, behaviour, genetics, and physiology.
Cutting-Edge Research Techniques: Applied innovative methods, including satellite tracking, bioacoustics, genetic analysis, and remote sensing.
Wildlife Health & Climate Change Research: Investigated the impacts of environmental changes, human activities, and emerging diseases on mammal populations.
Policy & Management Contributions: Played a key advisory role in the development of South Africa’s protected area networks, species action plans, and conservation and management policies.