PhD Students
For a complete list of students see the list of projects under Research:
Fleur Visser: PhD (Wildlife Management) candidate
Fleur's research project investigates the health status of the critically endangered lion populations in West Africa. Her study includes aspects of genetic diversity and epidemiology, which will be compared between current and historical samples. Her work will also contribute to understanding the landscape genetics of the two geographically closest populations on each side of the Benin/Nigeria border. The information gathered during her PhD will then serve to suggest a population management plan for the lion in West Africa.
ResearchGate LinkedIn Twitter: @Fleur_Viss
Jawi Ramahlo PhD (Zoology) candidate
I am Jawi, and I am a huge fan of small mammals. My research aims to investigate the effects of human-mediated disturbance on small mammal communities with specific reference to their population numbers, diversity, and behaviour such as stress and diet preference. To do this, we sampled five land use types in the North West province and collected data to understand our abovementioned variables. Some data collected includes species identification and sex determination for population and diversity; faecal sample collection for investigation of stress response levels; and hair and toenail clippings for information on diet preference. Our findings can help generate an up-to-date species distribution list and improve our understanding of how anthropogenic activities influence the natural world. Additionally, we can use this information to inform our land use management strategies better and preserve our natural landscapes.
The main supervisor is Andre Ganswindt and another co-supervisor is Daniel Hart.
Marie Lemerle: PhD (Wildlife Management) candidate
Her study aims to develop a sustainable brown hyena viewing site at a colony of Cape fur seals, in the newly established Tsau//Khaeb National Park in Namibia. The seal colony is located on the coast of the Namib Desert and represents the main food source for several clans of brown hyenas. The area is currently undisturbed but will soon be open for tourism. Through camera traps, GPS collars, and direct observations, she is studying the activity of brown hyenas in and around the seal colony, as well as their foraging and hunting behaviours on the fur seals. She is also investigating the reactions of brown hyenas to people and vehicles. The results will be used to create an ecotourism site, where tourists will be able to observe the brown hyena's hunting behaviours on the seals, but without disturbing their movements and diurnal activity.
Co-supervised with Ingred Wieser.