Scientific Advisory Board

Prof Parker trained as zoologist under the mentorship of Prof Ric Bernard at Rhodes University, completing an MSc on giraffe feeding biology in 2004 and a PhD on the impact of elephants on the ecosystems of the Eastern Cape in 2008. In between his MSc and PhD studies, he took a research "gap year" and worked for Oxford University's Hwange Lion Research Project in Zimbabwe alongside Drs Andy Loveridge and Zeke Davidson, igniting his keen interest in carnivore biology. Dan is now an Associate Professor at the University of Mpumalanga.

Prof Leslie holds a PhD and MSc in vertebrate ecology & physiology from Drexel University in the USA and a BSc Zoology & Botany from the University of Stellenbosch. Her MSc focused on the nesting ecology of leatherback sea turtles in Central America and her PhD on the ecology of Nile crocodiles in the then named Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park. Alison’s research interests are broad but lie primarily in the field of wildlife management, including human/wildlife conflict. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Conservation Ecology And Entomology at Stellenbosch University and has worked extensively in South Africa, Costa Rica, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi and Burundi. She has published numerous peer-reviewed papers and is continuously presenting her work at national and international conferences. She has also participated in 20 television documentaries, produced by National Geographic, Animal Planet, the Discovery Channel and the BBC, to mention a few.

Prof Radloff holds a PhD in Botany, MSc in Zoology, BSc (Hons) in Wildlife Management and a BSc (Agric) in Animal and Pasture Science. His PhD work at Stellenbosch University (2005-08) focused on the ecology of large herbivores native to the coastal lowlands of the Fynbos Biome in the Western Cape. Frans is an Associate Professor in the Department of Conservation and Marine Science at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. His research interests lie within community ecology and ecosystem functioning, with a particular interest in how animals influence and shape ecosystems by means of herbivory and predation.

Dr Bishop’s research interests center on the use of molecular, behavioural and ecological data to understand a) the relative contributions of genetic drift and selection in shaping variation in natural populations of vertebrates, b)  the impacts of anthropogenic land-use change on natural populations, and c) the health implications of these changes for wildlife. This involves a range of molecular and ecological approaches to explain evolutionary genetic histories from the level of individuals and parentage assignment to the analysis of genes, populations and species. Jacqueline has an ongoing interest in the evolutionary drivers of mate choice behaviour, together with understanding the relative importance of adaptive genetic variation in free-living populations. Working within this framework she uses a number of taxa as models to test current theories. These have included crocodiles, rhinoceros, baboons and mole-rats, and more recently seabirds, bats and caracal.

Dr Mann’s involvement with the Cape Leopard Trust goes back to 2009 when he began his PhD research on the ecology of leopards in the Little Karoo. This involved gathering the first-ever data on the population density and habitat preferences of leopards in the region, as well as providing updated information on leopard diet in this area. He also interviewed landowners to investigate patterns and drivers of conflict between livestock farmers and wildlife. Primarily funded by the CLT as well as Nedbank WWF Green Trust, he obtained his PhD from Rhodes University in 2014. Gareth now coordinates leopard monitoring activities in South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe for Panthera, an international NGO dedicated to the conservation of wild cats in their natural habitats. He is an Honorary Research Affiliate at the University of Cape Town and has also published work on fighting behaviour in angulate tortoises, and the indigenous carnivores of Madagascar.

Dr Baxter’s early career as a palaeo-ecologist helped to shape his affinity for wild and remote places – especially the mountains of the Western Cape. Andrew is a strategist, change agent and life-long conservationist. He has 30 years executive experience in organisational management from start-ups to corporations to non-profits, including CapeStorm, WWF SA, WESSA, Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency, Babanango Game Reserve and Blue Karoo Advisory Services. Andrew is a founding member of the Cape Leopard Trust, and speaks authoritatively on matters relating to climate change, environment, wildlife, conservation and tourism..

Dr Annecke holds a doctorate in Gender and Development Studies from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. She has worked nationally and internationally on improving gendered access to resources, in particular energy, water and biodiversity. A natural extension to this work has been the role of gender in climate change, both mitigation and adaptation. Over the years she has been part of projects led by the likes of USAID, DFID and the World Bank. She has contributed to 11 books and published articles on a wide variety of subjects. In 2011 Wendy joined the Scientific Services division of SANParks as a Social Researcher. She was later promoted to General Manager, and ultimately Specialist Scientist.

Dr Amin is a Senior Wildlife Biologist at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), and Technical Advisor to the Cape Leopard Trust. Raj’s interests centre around conservation biology, with an emphasis on science-based conservation of some of the world's most highly threatened species, with work spanning many aspects from international wildlife research and monitoring, wildlife health, species recovery planning and capacity building. This has helped develop national conservation strategies for a number of species, including more recently the black rhino, African elephant, hirola and roan antelope. Raj is a founding