Hello, my name is Olivia, and I am a first year QUADRAT PhD student, studying at the School of Biological Sciences at Queens University Belfast. My project is titled ‘The challenges facing African lions: human and environmental impacts’ and I will be focusing on observing the impacts of seasonal fluctuations on lion ecology and stress physiology. Specifically exploring faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels in conjunction with prey availability in dry and wet seasons and associated prevalence of livestock depredation. With human-animal conflicts surrounding livestock depredation being a major cause for population decline in protected areas, this study will give insight into the mechanisms driving depredation and help implement mitigation strategies to protect pastoralist livelihoods and ensure stable African lion populations.
Before university I studied Animal Science and Zoo Husbandry at Sparsholt college, England and travelled to South Africa to undertake conservation courses at Kruger National Park, as well as volunteering with the rescue and rehabilitation of many species at Somkhanda Game Reserve and Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre, where my interest in African lion ecology blossomed. In 2017 I attended The Royal Veterinary College, receiving a Bachelors in Biological Sciences and graduating in 2021 with a Master’s in Wild Animal Biology. For both my undergraduate and master’s projects I researched African lion ethology, investigating the effect of human-interaction activities on social behaviours on the African lion pride at ZSL Whipsnade, and observing the effect of keeper presence on captive African lion behaviour at four zoological collections in the UK for my master’s.
During university I worked as an Assistant Ecologist where I undertook habitat assessment and site surveys to observe bat activity and roots to ensure conservation and relocation of the protected species in government work sites. After university I trained as a student veterinary nurse before heading to Peru in 2022 for several months working as a biologist and veterinary intern at the Rainforest Awareness Rescue Education Centre. Here I was responsible for the care and welfare of rescued Amazonian wildlife including new world primates, ocelots and manatees, as well as assisting with the rescues and supporting the veterinary staff with procedures and hospitalised animals. While here I also undertook a diploma in big cat studies to further my knowledge on felid ecology and help devise management and rehabilitation programmes for their rescued oncilla and ocelot.
When I returned from Peru, I worked at two specialist veterinary hospitals to progress my veterinary knowledge, as a lecturer in Animal Science at Kingston Maurward College and most recently worked as an Orangutan keeper at Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre, Dorset England. Having worked in many sectors within the animal industry, I feel that I have gained the experience and knowledge to help set me up for beginning my PhD. I am grateful to be given to opportunity to revisit my original area of interest in African lions and excited to start researching the effects of climate change on African lion behaviour and prey availability in the Kgalagadi and help implement conservation and mitigation strategies to prevent influxes in human-wildlife conflict due to livestock predation.
When not working on my research, I am a big lover of music, and you can usually find me at a local gig or festival!
