It has definitely been a while - and not for lack of adventures and visits to Africa!
Currently I am working on my dissertation through the University of Florida in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, and the lab of Dr. Madan Oli. For my dissertation work, I am working in Rwanda, a small country in east central Africa, at the center of the Albertine Rift, a biodiversity hotspot.
Specifically, I am working in Nyungwe National Park, a montane rainforest located in southwestern Rwanda on the border of Burundi. I am primarily studying mammal species within the forest, and how their abundance and distribution has changed over time. In addition, I am looking at the anthropogenic threats to wildlife, and how these threats have affected their abundance and distribution.
Last summer was my first time in Rwanda and Nyungwe, but I am now back again for the next three months. Since I've only just arrived last week, I'll share some pictures from last summer, and then will continue to update as I head out to the forest this year. This summer I will be placing a series of camera traps throughout the forest, so hopefully some exciting and potentially funny pictures will be to follow as the summer goes on.
Currently I am working on my dissertation through the University of Florida in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, and the lab of Dr. Madan Oli. For my dissertation work, I am working in Rwanda, a small country in east central Africa, at the center of the Albertine Rift, a biodiversity hotspot.
Specifically, I am working in Nyungwe National Park, a montane rainforest located in southwestern Rwanda on the border of Burundi. I am primarily studying mammal species within the forest, and how their abundance and distribution has changed over time. In addition, I am looking at the anthropogenic threats to wildlife, and how these threats have affected their abundance and distribution.
Last summer was my first time in Rwanda and Nyungwe, but I am now back again for the next three months. Since I've only just arrived last week, I'll share some pictures from last summer, and then will continue to update as I head out to the forest this year. This summer I will be placing a series of camera traps throughout the forest, so hopefully some exciting and potentially funny pictures will be to follow as the summer goes on.
The view from the top of Mt. Bigugu (the highest peak in the park)
Out on a hike through the forest (a fun day off!)
A view of Kamiranzovu swamp
Some of the transects where we collect data on mammal species around the park are very steep!
And of course here are some primate pictures! Vervet monkey (with a baby!), Black and White Colobus (also with a baby!), and Eastern Chimpanzee.
