I am interested in the scientific underpinning of practical and policy solutions to problems in wildlife conservation. Although my background is in the behavioural ecology of mammals, my research currently spans taxa ranging from mammals to moths, and is inter-disciplinary (including teams involving environmental economics and the social sciences). Much of my research is stimulated by conflict between people and wildlife, whether it be through predation, infectious disease or invasive species.
In these contexts my team works on long-term data sets on badgers, lions, mink and Ethiopian wolves. A threat uniting many aspects of our research is the ecological basis of social organization, with particular reference to the impacts of both resource dispersion and perturbation. We have special expertise with the Carnivora, and our emphasis on the Felidae currently involves research on Scottish wildcats (problems of hybridisation), lions (problems with trophy hunting and stock-raiding), tigers and leopards (stock-raiding), and the impact of logging on Bornean felids, together with work on the impact of perceptions and attitudes regarding both pumas and jaguars.
My current focus is on delivery of land-use planning using the ConnectingLandscapes Decision Support System (CoLa DSS) which is a tool for exploring the intersection between biodiversity conservation and economic development
Additional Information
I founded the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit in 1986. Its aim was, and remains, to undertake original research on aspects of fundamental biology relevant to solving practical problems of wildlife conservation and environmental management, and thus to underpin policy formation and public debate of the many issues that surround the conservation of wildlife and its habitats.
I am Chair of the UK's fastest-growing conservation education charity, Action for Conservation, a Trustee the charity Lion Landscapes, and of Chester Zoo, and am a Vice President of the Wildlife Trusts. I have previously been chair of Darwin Advisory Committee, of Natural England’s Science Advisory Committee and of Earthwatch, a VP of ZSL and RSPCA, and a council member, inter alia of WWF and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. In 2025 I was awarded the Linnean medal for contributions to Science.
