September 2022
We say a sad farewell to Natalie Tegtman who has done a fab job at managing the project whilst completing her final field season!
And we welcome Tom Lewis, who has taken over as project manager.
We say a sad farewell to Natalie Tegtman who has done a fab job at managing the project whilst completing her final field season!
And we welcome Tom Lewis, who has taken over as project manager.
August 2022
Sound the paper claxon! A huge congratulations to PhD student Ben Cobb on his first paper "Factors affecting follower responses to movement calls in cooperatively breeding dwarf mongooses" published in animal behaviour. Ben spent 8 months in the field, throughout Covid-19 lockdowns to make this paper a success.
Sound the paper claxon! A huge congratulations to PhD student Ben Cobb on his first paper "Factors affecting follower responses to movement calls in cooperatively breeding dwarf mongooses" published in animal behaviour. Ben spent 8 months in the field, throughout Covid-19 lockdowns to make this paper a success.
June 2022
Welcome back Natalie Tegtman to Sorabi, for her final field season for her PhD! We are so pleased to have her back in the field, as this field season has been postponed for the past two years due to COVID-19, Nat will also be project managing whilst she is there. Hope you have a cracking time Nat!
Welcome back Natalie Tegtman to Sorabi, for her final field season for her PhD! We are so pleased to have her back in the field, as this field season has been postponed for the past two years due to COVID-19, Nat will also be project managing whilst she is there. Hope you have a cracking time Nat!
March 2022
A new paper is out, which not just involves the dwarf mongooses but also banded mongooses and meerkats! Congratulations to the team in Zurich who tested the acoustic adaptation hypothesis ('a species calls = adapted to optimally transmit in own habitat') in 3 species of mongoose.
A new paper is out, which not just involves the dwarf mongooses but also banded mongooses and meerkats! Congratulations to the team in Zurich who tested the acoustic adaptation hypothesis ('a species calls = adapted to optimally transmit in own habitat') in 3 species of mongoose.
February 2022
Kier Kemp steps into his role as project manager for the next 6 months!
January 2022
It is the height of summer and pups are emerging whilst previous project manager Will Guerrini returns to the field site alongside Kier Kemp who will take on the reigns once trained up.
Kier Kemp steps into his role as project manager for the next 6 months!
January 2022
It is the height of summer and pups are emerging whilst previous project manager Will Guerrini returns to the field site alongside Kier Kemp who will take on the reigns once trained up.
December 2021
A series of social media outputs have been released to celebrate 10 years of the project! Read all about the project, what a day in the life is like for Dr Amy Morris-Drake, watch this interview with Professor Andy Radford in which he talks about the past 10 years, the projects impacts and key research findings. And finally Ben Cobb and Megan Layton discuss working with the dwarf mongooses. We hope you enjoy the wonderful content our press team have put together!
December 2021
A new paper is out! Congratulations to Dr Amy Morris-Drake and team who conducted week-long manipulations to investigate the longer-term impacts of intergroup conflict.
A series of social media outputs have been released to celebrate 10 years of the project! Read all about the project, what a day in the life is like for Dr Amy Morris-Drake, watch this interview with Professor Andy Radford in which he talks about the past 10 years, the projects impacts and key research findings. And finally Ben Cobb and Megan Layton discuss working with the dwarf mongooses. We hope you enjoy the wonderful content our press team have put together!
December 2021
A new paper is out! Congratulations to Dr Amy Morris-Drake and team who conducted week-long manipulations to investigate the longer-term impacts of intergroup conflict.
November 2021
Megan Layton joins the project for the next year as specialist technician. After extensive time in the field she will now be taking over multiple aspects of the project management from HQ in Bristol.
November 2021
Congratulations to Dr Amy Morris-Drake on her recently published paper, about how mongooses give bullies the cold shoulder!
September 2021
Lucy and Megan return to the UK after an intensive but productive 3 months. Now for Lucy to begin the analyses and final write up!
July 2021
Lucy Westover, MSc student manages to get out to the field site. We hope you have a successful field season!
June 2021
Lindy leaves the project onto an exciting role with African Impact, many thanks for all your hard work and best of luck in your new role! Previous project manager Megan Layton returns to the project, she couldn't stay away too long!
April 2021
Congratulations to Dr Julie Kern on her new paper, showing that strongly bonded individuals prefer to forage together.
February 2021
A massive congratulations to Dr Amy Morris-Drake a.k.a The Mongoose Queen, on successfully defending her PhD thesis "Consequences of within - and between - group conflict in dwarf mongooses". Amy is now moving into a Postdoctoral Research Associate role with the project.
Megan Layton joins the project for the next year as specialist technician. After extensive time in the field she will now be taking over multiple aspects of the project management from HQ in Bristol.
November 2021
Congratulations to Dr Amy Morris-Drake on her recently published paper, about how mongooses give bullies the cold shoulder!
September 2021
Lucy and Megan return to the UK after an intensive but productive 3 months. Now for Lucy to begin the analyses and final write up!
July 2021
Lucy Westover, MSc student manages to get out to the field site. We hope you have a successful field season!
June 2021
Lindy leaves the project onto an exciting role with African Impact, many thanks for all your hard work and best of luck in your new role! Previous project manager Megan Layton returns to the project, she couldn't stay away too long!
April 2021
Congratulations to Dr Julie Kern on her new paper, showing that strongly bonded individuals prefer to forage together.
February 2021
A massive congratulations to Dr Amy Morris-Drake a.k.a The Mongoose Queen, on successfully defending her PhD thesis "Consequences of within - and between - group conflict in dwarf mongooses". Amy is now moving into a Postdoctoral Research Associate role with the project.
January 2021
A new MSc student starts on the project. Welcome to Lucy Westover! Lucy is going to start by working with our long-term database, but we hope that she can make it to the field site later in the year Covid permitting - fingers crossed!
A new MSc student starts on the project. Welcome to Lucy Westover! Lucy is going to start by working with our long-term database, but we hope that she can make it to the field site later in the year Covid permitting - fingers crossed!
December 2020
Lindy Wolhuter becomes our next project manager. She brings with her extensive experience of the African bush, having lived in it for most of her life. We look forward to working with you!
Lindy Wolhuter becomes our next project manager. She brings with her extensive experience of the African bush, having lived in it for most of her life. We look forward to working with you!
December 2020
Will returns to the UK just in time for Christmas (after two weeks in quarantine - good luck!). What was originally meant to be a three month RA stint, became nearly a year on the project thanks to Covid-19. Thank you Will for being so dedicated to the mongooses and the project, it is hugely appreciated.
Will returns to the UK just in time for Christmas (after two weeks in quarantine - good luck!). What was originally meant to be a three month RA stint, became nearly a year on the project thanks to Covid-19. Thank you Will for being so dedicated to the mongooses and the project, it is hugely appreciated.
September 2020
A huge thank you to Will Guerrini, who has taken on the role of project manager having been an RA on the project since Jan 2020.
A huge thank you to Will Guerrini, who has taken on the role of project manager having been an RA on the project since Jan 2020.
August 2020
Welcome back to Ben Cobb. Ben embarked on his field season with the mongooses in Jan as a MSc student and returned as a PhD student! The arrival of Covid-19 meant Ben's 5 month field season became 8 months. We hope you enjoyed it and look forward to hearing about your future research plans.
Welcome back to Ben Cobb. Ben embarked on his field season with the mongooses in Jan as a MSc student and returned as a PhD student! The arrival of Covid-19 meant Ben's 5 month field season became 8 months. We hope you enjoyed it and look forward to hearing about your future research plans.
August 2020
The field team and those of us at mongoose HQ in Bristol say a sad farewell to Megan Layton (project manager). Megan has done an amazing job at keeping the project going through the arrival of Covid-19. If it wasn't for her and the team's willingness to stay on the project, it probably wouldn't have been able to survive. Thank you so much for all your hard work! Now go catch up on some sleep...
The field team and those of us at mongoose HQ in Bristol say a sad farewell to Megan Layton (project manager). Megan has done an amazing job at keeping the project going through the arrival of Covid-19. If it wasn't for her and the team's willingness to stay on the project, it probably wouldn't have been able to survive. Thank you so much for all your hard work! Now go catch up on some sleep...
August 2020
Another new paper is out, which investigates a potential combination of alarm calls in the dwarf mongoose!
Another new paper is out, which investigates a potential combination of alarm calls in the dwarf mongoose!
June 2020
A new paper is out! Congratulations to lead author Josh Arbon for a great publication from his MSc.
A new paper is out! Congratulations to lead author Josh Arbon for a great publication from his MSc.
May 2020
Listen to Professor Andy Radford's Costing the Earth episode on Radio 4, featuring PhD student/mongoose guru Amy Morris-Drake discussing her work.
Listen to Professor Andy Radford's Costing the Earth episode on Radio 4, featuring PhD student/mongoose guru Amy Morris-Drake discussing her work.
February 2020
Well done to Emma Eastcott, who's had her first paper published in Behavioral Ecology. This work was conducted for Emma's MSc, which looked at how individual variation affects responses to traffic noise.
Well done to Emma Eastcott, who's had her first paper published in Behavioral Ecology. This work was conducted for Emma's MSc, which looked at how individual variation affects responses to traffic noise.
January 2020
Best of luck to Ben Cobb who heads out to Sorabi for his MSc field season. Over the next six months, Ben will be investigating aspects of leadership in dwarf mongoose society.
Best of luck to Ben Cobb who heads out to Sorabi for his MSc field season. Over the next six months, Ben will be investigating aspects of leadership in dwarf mongoose society.
December 2019
Well done to Emily Grout for the successful defence of her Masters by Research thesis, 'Variation in alloparental care in dwarf mongooses'. Good luck with the PhD on coatis at the Max Planck Institute and University of Konstantz!
Well done to Emily Grout for the successful defence of her Masters by Research thesis, 'Variation in alloparental care in dwarf mongooses'. Good luck with the PhD on coatis at the Max Planck Institute and University of Konstantz!
October 2019
As Amy Morris-Drake returns to Bristol after her last PhD field season and Natalie Tegtman returns to Canberra after her first, we welcome Megan Layton to the project. Megan will be our in-field project manager for the next 8 months. Thank you!
As Amy Morris-Drake returns to Bristol after her last PhD field season and Natalie Tegtman returns to Canberra after her first, we welcome Megan Layton to the project. Megan will be our in-field project manager for the next 8 months. Thank you!
September 2019
Congratulations to Emily Richens for successfully defending her Masters thesis. Well done Emily!
Congratulations to Emily Richens for successfully defending her Masters thesis. Well done Emily!
July 2019
A huge thank you to Jenny Linden for managing the project over the past 6 months! You've been amazing at dealing with all the dramas that have come your way; from car troubles, to elephants, scorpions and black mamba encounters, it surely has been an experience you will never forget!
A huge thank you to Jenny Linden for managing the project over the past 6 months! You've been amazing at dealing with all the dramas that have come your way; from car troubles, to elephants, scorpions and black mamba encounters, it surely has been an experience you will never forget!
June 2019
Congratulations to Amy Morris-Drake who's first paper from her PhD is published online early. Experimental field evidence that out-group threats influence within-group behaviour.
Congratulations to Amy Morris-Drake who's first paper from her PhD is published online early. Experimental field evidence that out-group threats influence within-group behaviour.
June 2019
Amy Morris-Drake returns to Sorabi for her final PhD field season looking at the behavioural consequences of within-group conflict.
Amy Morris-Drake returns to Sorabi for her final PhD field season looking at the behavioural consequences of within-group conflict.
May 2019
We welcome Natalie Tegtman to the project! A PhD student from the Australian National University, she will be spending her first field season investigating sentinel behaviour in the dwarf mongooses.
We welcome Natalie Tegtman to the project! A PhD student from the Australian National University, she will be spending her first field season investigating sentinel behaviour in the dwarf mongooses.
May 2019
Emily Grout, Emily Richens and Amy Morris-Drake present their research at the Easter ASAB conference in beautiful York!
Emily Grout, Emily Richens and Amy Morris-Drake present their research at the Easter ASAB conference in beautiful York!
January 2019
As Emily Grout returns from an intensive three months in the field for her MSc, we welcome Jenny Linden back to manage the project for the next six months.
As Emily Grout returns from an intensive three months in the field for her MSc, we welcome Jenny Linden back to manage the project for the next six months.
October 2018
Amy Morris-Drake returns to the UK after wrapping up the second field season of her PhD and Emily Grout heads back to the project to commence fieldwork for her MSc. Good luck Emily!
Amy Morris-Drake returns to the UK after wrapping up the second field season of her PhD and Emily Grout heads back to the project to commence fieldwork for her MSc. Good luck Emily!
October 2018
Huge congratulations to Josh Arbon for successfully defending his MSc thesis 'Context-dependent contributions to cooperative behaviours'.
Huge congratulations to Josh Arbon for successfully defending his MSc thesis 'Context-dependent contributions to cooperative behaviours'.
September 2018
Welcome back to Emily Grout! A research assistant on the project earlier in the year, Emily has now returned as an MSc student.
Welcome back to Emily Grout! A research assistant on the project earlier in the year, Emily has now returned as an MSc student.
July 2018
Congrats to Josh Arbon and Emily Richens for completing the fieldwork component of their MSc. They have now returned to the UK to begin the analyses and final write up!
Congrats to Josh Arbon and Emily Richens for completing the fieldwork component of their MSc. They have now returned to the UK to begin the analyses and final write up!
May 2018
Well done to Emma Eastcott for successfully defending her MSc thesis 'Intrapopulation variation in vigilance responses to anthropogenic noise in dwarf mongooses'.
Well done to Emma Eastcott for successfully defending her MSc thesis 'Intrapopulation variation in vigilance responses to anthropogenic noise in dwarf mongooses'.
May 2018
Market-trading Mongooses! Our new open access paper is online in PNAS http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2018/05/22/1801000115. Congrats to lead-author Dr Julie Kern & co-author Professor Radford who show experimentally that wild dwarf mongooses remember past cooperative acts by groupmates and reward those individuals later.
Market-trading Mongooses! Our new open access paper is online in PNAS http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2018/05/22/1801000115. Congrats to lead-author Dr Julie Kern & co-author Professor Radford who show experimentally that wild dwarf mongooses remember past cooperative acts by groupmates and reward those individuals later.
May 2018
Welcome back to the field for PhD student Amy Morris-Drake. Amy will be spending 5 months in the field continuing her work on out-group conflict.
Welcome back to the field for PhD student Amy Morris-Drake. Amy will be spending 5 months in the field continuing her work on out-group conflict.
April 2018
A huge thank you to Sophie Manson who leaves the project after 6 months as our Project Manager. Thank you for all your hard work!
A huge thank you to Sophie Manson who leaves the project after 6 months as our Project Manager. Thank you for all your hard work!
January 2018
A big welcome to Emily Richens and Josh Arbon, who have both started fieldwork for their Master's this month. Good luck with the data collection!
A big welcome to Emily Richens and Josh Arbon, who have both started fieldwork for their Master's this month. Good luck with the data collection!
December 2017
Listen to Dr Julie Kern chatting to Roland Pease for the BBC World Service's Science in Action radio program. Listen here (mongooses feature from 16:15 in) or download the audio file below.
Listen to Dr Julie Kern chatting to Roland Pease for the BBC World Service's Science in Action radio program. Listen here (mongooses feature from 16:15 in) or download the audio file below.
| science_in_action_2017-12-07.mp3 |
December 2017
Delighted to have our latest work published in Current Biology, 'Reduced social-information provision by immigrants and use by residents following dispersal'. Congrats Julie and Andy. You can also read about the work in these fab articles by the New York Times, Smithsonian, IFL Science and watch a short video by Scientic American.
Delighted to have our latest work published in Current Biology, 'Reduced social-information provision by immigrants and use by residents following dispersal'. Congrats Julie and Andy. You can also read about the work in these fab articles by the New York Times, Smithsonian, IFL Science and watch a short video by Scientic American.
October 2017
Welcome back to Sophie Manson who returns to the field team as our new Project Manager. Sophie spent several months at the project as a research assistant in 2016 before undertaking her MSci at the University of Bristol. We're delighted that she's returning to the field site.
Welcome back to Sophie Manson who returns to the field team as our new Project Manager. Sophie spent several months at the project as a research assistant in 2016 before undertaking her MSci at the University of Bristol. We're delighted that she's returning to the field site.
October 2017
A big welcome to new MSc students Emily Richens and Josh Arbon who join the mongoose team this year. Emily and Josh will be spending their first few months at the University of Bristol before making their way to South Africa to begin data collection in the new year.
A big welcome to new MSc students Emily Richens and Josh Arbon who join the mongoose team this year. Emily and Josh will be spending their first few months at the University of Bristol before making their way to South Africa to begin data collection in the new year.
September 2017
Great work by ASAB summer placement student Harry Suter who has spent 12 weeks at the project conducting research into personality and anthropogenic noise. Harry now returns to UK to begin his MSci at the University of Bristol (while analysing mongoose data of course).
Great work by ASAB summer placement student Harry Suter who has spent 12 weeks at the project conducting research into personality and anthropogenic noise. Harry now returns to UK to begin his MSci at the University of Bristol (while analysing mongoose data of course).
August 2017
A final farewell to mongoose fieldwork (she says) for postdoc Julie Kern who returns to the University of Bristol to work with data collected during the last few months.
A final farewell to mongoose fieldwork (she says) for postdoc Julie Kern who returns to the University of Bristol to work with data collected during the last few months.
July 2017
Well done to MSc student Emma Eastcott on the successful completion of her fieldwork component. Emma has now returned to the UK to begin the final write up and we wish her all the best.
Well done to MSc student Emma Eastcott on the successful completion of her fieldwork component. Emma has now returned to the UK to begin the final write up and we wish her all the best.
June 2017
The Year 4's at Sefton Park school in Bristol enjoyed hearing from Professor Andy Radford about Africa's smallest carnivore and life as a scientist. The group chose to name one of the recent pups 'Oreo'. We hope to see the children getting their teeth into science, and who knows, Africa may gain a few more field researchers one day.
The Year 4's at Sefton Park school in Bristol enjoyed hearing from Professor Andy Radford about Africa's smallest carnivore and life as a scientist. The group chose to name one of the recent pups 'Oreo'. We hope to see the children getting their teeth into science, and who knows, Africa may gain a few more field researchers one day.
May 2017
Welcome back to Julie Kern & Amy Morris-Drake who have returned to the project for another bout of fieldwork. Julie is collecting data for her postdoc investigating the role of social networks in the species, while Amy is beginning the data collection for her PhD on out-group conflict in the species. Good luck team!
Welcome back to Julie Kern & Amy Morris-Drake who have returned to the project for another bout of fieldwork. Julie is collecting data for her postdoc investigating the role of social networks in the species, while Amy is beginning the data collection for her PhD on out-group conflict in the species. Good luck team!
May 2017
An absolute treat to have so many of the team (both past and present) together in Bristol for the inaugral lecture of the project PI, Professor Andy Radford. Not to mention huge congratulations to Andy.
An absolute treat to have so many of the team (both past and present) together in Bristol for the inaugral lecture of the project PI, Professor Andy Radford. Not to mention huge congratulations to Andy.
March 2017
A fab afternoon away from the office for Professor Andy Radford and Amy Morris-Drake who visited Sefton Park school in Bristol to chat to Year 2 about what life is really like as a researcher. The budding scientists chose 'Twix' as the name they'd like to give to one of the latest pups in the 'Jelly Babies' group.
A fab afternoon away from the office for Professor Andy Radford and Amy Morris-Drake who visited Sefton Park school in Bristol to chat to Year 2 about what life is really like as a researcher. The budding scientists chose 'Twix' as the name they'd like to give to one of the latest pups in the 'Jelly Babies' group.
March 21017
Check out our new paper published in Animal Behaviour, "Contextual variation in the alarm call responses of dwarf mongooses". Congrats to co-authors Julie Kern and Pip Laker.
Check out our new paper published in Animal Behaviour, "Contextual variation in the alarm call responses of dwarf mongooses". Congrats to co-authors Julie Kern and Pip Laker.
February 2017
Well done to Anna Bracken and Amy Morris-Drake, joint authors on our new paper published in Environmental Pollution. Anthropogenic noise alters dwarf mongoose responses to heterospecific alarm calls.
Well done to Anna Bracken and Amy Morris-Drake, joint authors on our new paper published in Environmental Pollution. Anthropogenic noise alters dwarf mongoose responses to heterospecific alarm calls.
January 2017
Welcome back to Amy Morris-Drake who starts work on her PhD this month. Amy knows the project very well having been both an RA and conducted her MSc at the project. We're delighted to have her back and wish her all the best on her PhD journey!
Welcome back to Amy Morris-Drake who starts work on her PhD this month. Amy knows the project very well having been both an RA and conducted her MSc at the project. We're delighted to have her back and wish her all the best on her PhD journey!
January 2017
A big welcome to Emma Eastcott who begins her fieldwork at the project this month. Emma is investigating the impacts of anthropogenic noise on the behaviour of sentinels and cognition.
A big welcome to Emma Eastcott who begins her fieldwork at the project this month. Emma is investigating the impacts of anthropogenic noise on the behaviour of sentinels and cognition.
November 2016
Catch Dr Julie Kern talking to the BBC World Service's Science in Action Program about the project's latest paper (from 18:37 in) here or download the audio file below.
Catch Dr Julie Kern talking to the BBC World Service's Science in Action Program about the project's latest paper (from 18:37 in) here or download the audio file below.
| scienceinaction-20161201__1_.mp3 |
November 2016
Mobbing mongooses feature on Discovery Canada's Daily Planet Show. https://review.bellmedia.ca/view/1310510088#
Mobbing mongooses feature on Discovery Canada's Daily Planet Show. https://review.bellmedia.ca/view/1310510088#
November 2016
Our new paper is out online. Social-bond strength influences vocally mediated responses to mobbing.
Our new paper is out online. Social-bond strength influences vocally mediated responses to mobbing.
October 2016
Our new paper is out online. Cross-model impacts of anthropogenic noise on information use. Congratulations to lead author Amy Morris-Drake for a great publication from her MSc data.
Our new paper is out online. Cross-model impacts of anthropogenic noise on information use. Congratulations to lead author Amy Morris-Drake for a great publication from her MSc data.
September 2016
A big welcome to our new team members Emma Eastcott and Deraj Wilson-Aggarwal who start their Masters at the project this month. Also a big welcome back to Dr Julie Kern who returns to the project for a year as a Postdoctoral Research Associate.
A big welcome to our new team members Emma Eastcott and Deraj Wilson-Aggarwal who start their Masters at the project this month. Also a big welcome back to Dr Julie Kern who returns to the project for a year as a Postdoctoral Research Associate.
August 2016
Our new paper is out online. Anthropogenic noise disrupt use of vocal information about predation risk.
Our new paper is out online. Anthropogenic noise disrupt use of vocal information about predation risk.
July 2016
We're advertising a new fully funded PhD position on social conflict and its consequences.
July 2016
Congratulations to Dr Julie Kern for defending her PhD Thesis, "Flexible receiver response in response to anti-predator vocalisations".
June 2016
Our new paper is online early. Rival group scent induces change in dwarf mongoose immediate behaviour and subsequent movement. Congratulations to Charlotte Christensen who's MSc work features in the paper.
June 2016
Congratulations to Amy Morris-Drake for successfully defending the Master thesis. Well done Amy!
April 2016
A great interview by our current MSc student Amy Morris-Drake for Discover Conservation, detailing the highs and lows and fieldwork. http://www.discoverconservation.org/amy-morris-drake-the-dwarf-mongoose.
We're advertising a new fully funded PhD position on social conflict and its consequences.
July 2016
Congratulations to Dr Julie Kern for defending her PhD Thesis, "Flexible receiver response in response to anti-predator vocalisations".
June 2016
Our new paper is online early. Rival group scent induces change in dwarf mongoose immediate behaviour and subsequent movement. Congratulations to Charlotte Christensen who's MSc work features in the paper.
June 2016
Congratulations to Amy Morris-Drake for successfully defending the Master thesis. Well done Amy!
April 2016
A great interview by our current MSc student Amy Morris-Drake for Discover Conservation, detailing the highs and lows and fieldwork. http://www.discoverconservation.org/amy-morris-drake-the-dwarf-mongoose.
February 2016
A new paper is out! Sentinel dominance status influences forager use of social information.
A new paper is out! Sentinel dominance status influences forager use of social information.
January 2015
Dr Andy Radford wins a prestigious grant from the European Research Council. Great news for the project.
Dr Andy Radford wins a prestigious grant from the European Research Council. Great news for the project.
December 2015
A huge thank you to all our wonderful RA's this year, we couldn't have done it without you!
A huge thank you to all our wonderful RA's this year, we couldn't have done it without you!
October 2015
Welcome back to Charlotte Christensen and Anna Bracken who return to the field conduct some additional experiments with the population.
August 2015
Good luck to Julie Kern as she heads out to Australia for the Behaviour 2015 conference, ready to spread some mongoose love.
July 2015
Congratulations to Charlotte Christensen on the successful defence of her Masters thesis!
June 2015
We're sad to say goodbye to Amy Morris-Drake as she returns to the UK for her MSc write-up, but welcome the summer crop of research assistants.
May 2015
A great day out in Bath for MSc student Charlotte Christensen and project PI Dr Andy Radford who visited Years 5 and 6 at Kingswood School to give them a taste of life as a field scientist.
April 2015
Returning for her final field season, Julie Kern heads back to the field to collect data for her PhD on the use of social information in the species.
March 2015
Congratulations to Katie Rapson who has been awarded an ASAB summer studentship to conduct a short research project on the dwarf mongooses. We look forward to seeing her in field.
Welcome back to Charlotte Christensen and Anna Bracken who return to the field conduct some additional experiments with the population.
August 2015
Good luck to Julie Kern as she heads out to Australia for the Behaviour 2015 conference, ready to spread some mongoose love.
July 2015
Congratulations to Charlotte Christensen on the successful defence of her Masters thesis!
June 2015
We're sad to say goodbye to Amy Morris-Drake as she returns to the UK for her MSc write-up, but welcome the summer crop of research assistants.
May 2015
A great day out in Bath for MSc student Charlotte Christensen and project PI Dr Andy Radford who visited Years 5 and 6 at Kingswood School to give them a taste of life as a field scientist.
April 2015
Returning for her final field season, Julie Kern heads back to the field to collect data for her PhD on the use of social information in the species.
March 2015
Congratulations to Katie Rapson who has been awarded an ASAB summer studentship to conduct a short research project on the dwarf mongooses. We look forward to seeing her in field.
February 2015
Wonderful to have reached our crowd-funding target and excited to be able to start studies on friendship within mongoose groups. To all who donated, a massive thank you and look out for the rewards coming your way soon.
Wonderful to have reached our crowd-funding target and excited to be able to start studies on friendship within mongoose groups. To all who donated, a massive thank you and look out for the rewards coming your way soon.
January 2015
Are you a biology graduate? Do you want to work with dwarf mongooses in South Africa? Then contact julie.kern@bristol.ac.uk about being a volunteer field assistant in May-October 2015.
Are you a biology graduate? Do you want to work with dwarf mongooses in South Africa? Then contact julie.kern@bristol.ac.uk about being a volunteer field assistant in May-October 2015.
| dwarf_mongoose_assistant_advert_2015.pdf |
January 2015
Good luck to Amy Morris-Drake who returns to the field for data collection.
Good luck to Amy Morris-Drake who returns to the field for data collection.
December 2014
Great excitement among team mongoose as we launch crowdfunding.
Great excitement among team mongoose as we launch crowdfunding.
November 2014
Huge congratulations to Kate Rogerson and Anna Bracken on handing in their MSc theses.
Huge congratulations to Kate Rogerson and Anna Bracken on handing in their MSc theses.
November 2014
New paper published in Animal Behaviour on flexible decision making by dwarf mongoose sentinels.
New paper published in Animal Behaviour on flexible decision making by dwarf mongoose sentinels.
October 2014
A big welcome back to Amy Morris-Drake who joins team goose as an MSc student.
A big welcome back to Amy Morris-Drake who joins team goose as an MSc student.
October 2014
Farewell and many thanks to Charlotte Christensen who returns to Bristol to begin the write up stage of her MSc.
Farewell and many thanks to Charlotte Christensen who returns to Bristol to begin the write up stage of her MSc.
August 2014
Short communication published on tree climbing behaviour in the journal of Small Carnivore Conservation.
Short communication published on tree climbing behaviour in the journal of Small Carnivore Conservation.
August 2014
Are you a biology graduate? Do you want to work with dwarf mongooses in South Africa? Then contact julie.kern@bristol.ac.uk about being a volunteer field assistant in Oct-Dec 2014, and Jan-March 2015.
Are you a biology graduate? Do you want to work with dwarf mongooses in South Africa? Then contact julie.kern@bristol.ac.uk about being a volunteer field assistant in Oct-Dec 2014, and Jan-March 2015.
| dwarf_mongoose_assistant_advert_2014.pdf |
July 2014
Supplementary feeding, latrine presentations and recruitment call playbacks all up and running.
Supplementary feeding, latrine presentations and recruitment call playbacks all up and running.
June 2014
The project is delighted to welcome Charlotte Christensen and Pip Laker to the field team. Good luck with the fieldwork!
The project is delighted to welcome Charlotte Christensen and Pip Laker to the field team. Good luck with the fieldwork!
June 2014
A sad farewell to Kate Rogerson and Anna Bracken as they return to Bristol to write up their MSc theses. Can't wait to see the results.
A sad farewell to Kate Rogerson and Anna Bracken as they return to Bristol to write up their MSc theses. Can't wait to see the results.
March 2014
Research assistant position available from May 2014. If you're interested, check out the link to the advert below.
Research assistant position available from May 2014. If you're interested, check out the link to the advert below.
| dwarf_mongoose_assistant_advert_2014.pdf |
March 2014
A big welcome to Charlotte Christensen who joins the mongoose team as an MSc student having spent 3 months at the project last year. She'll be heading back to the bush in June.
A big welcome to Charlotte Christensen who joins the mongoose team as an MSc student having spent 3 months at the project last year. She'll be heading back to the bush in June.
February 2014
One of our groups has given birth to their 3rd litter of the breeding season. Whilst they normally have 2 litters from Nov-April, in good years they're able to squeeze in a 3rd. Fingers crossed for a high number of survivors.
One of our groups has given birth to their 3rd litter of the breeding season. Whilst they normally have 2 litters from Nov-April, in good years they're able to squeeze in a 3rd. Fingers crossed for a high number of survivors.
January 2014
The best of luck to Anna and Kate who head out to South Africa to begin their data collection this month.
The best of luck to Anna and Kate who head out to South Africa to begin their data collection this month.
December 2014
Many thanks to all our brilliant research assistants this year. Megan Shersby, Hayley Muir, Amy Morris Drake, Charlotte Christensen and Kelsey Bickert, we couldn't have done it without you.
Many thanks to all our brilliant research assistants this year. Megan Shersby, Hayley Muir, Amy Morris Drake, Charlotte Christensen and Kelsey Bickert, we couldn't have done it without you.
November 2013
6 of our 8 groups have had their pups and we're waiting with baited breath for our first glimpse of the new arrivals.
6 of our 8 groups have had their pups and we're waiting with baited breath for our first glimpse of the new arrivals.
September 2013
The project welcomes two new MSc students this term, Anna Bracken and Kate Rogerson. They are currently based in Bristol before heading out to South Africa to conduct their fieldwork later in the year.
The project welcomes two new MSc students this term, Anna Bracken and Kate Rogerson. They are currently based in Bristol before heading out to South Africa to conduct their fieldwork later in the year.
August 2013
With summer approaching we're now up to 8 fully habituated groups and looking forward to a more successful breeding season than last year.
With summer approaching we're now up to 8 fully habituated groups and looking forward to a more successful breeding season than last year.
April 2013
The first paper from the project has been published: Kern, J.M. & Radford, A.N. (2013) Call of duty? Variation in use of the watchman’s song by sentinel dwarf mongooses (Helogale parvula). Animal Behaviour 85: 967-975.
The first paper from the project has been published: Kern, J.M. & Radford, A.N. (2013) Call of duty? Variation in use of the watchman’s song by sentinel dwarf mongooses (Helogale parvula). Animal Behaviour 85: 967-975.
February 2013
We're sad to say goodbye to Nate Thavarjah and Miriam Fenkes who have been a great help in the field but welcome Emily Bennitt next month as our new project manager.
We're sad to say goodbye to Nate Thavarjah and Miriam Fenkes who have been a great help in the field but welcome Emily Bennitt next month as our new project manager.
October 2012
This year we're joined by a new MSc student, Amy Sibun. Amy comes to us from the Royal Agricultural College where she recently completed her undergraduate studies. Amy will be heading out to the field in the new year to investigate allogrooming and foraging behaviour.
This year we're joined by a new MSc student, Amy Sibun. Amy comes to us from the Royal Agricultural College where she recently completed her undergraduate studies. Amy will be heading out to the field in the new year to investigate allogrooming and foraging behaviour.
October 2012
Having submitted her MSc thesis investigating several aspects of decision-making by dwarf mongoose sentinels, Julie Kern has moved on to begin her PhD at the University of Bristol which will explore the role of close calling in the coordination of behaviour.
Having submitted her MSc thesis investigating several aspects of decision-making by dwarf mongoose sentinels, Julie Kern has moved on to begin her PhD at the University of Bristol which will explore the role of close calling in the coordination of behaviour.
September 2012
Welcome to Nate Thavarajah & Miriam Fenkes who've joined us from the Kalahari meerkat project to head up the field team. With a wealth of experience between they've already become known as 'mongoose whisperers' and are working hard to habituate several new groups.
Welcome to Nate Thavarajah & Miriam Fenkes who've joined us from the Kalahari meerkat project to head up the field team. With a wealth of experience between they've already become known as 'mongoose whisperers' and are working hard to habituate several new groups.
January 2012
Unfortunately the study site is hit by a tropical cyclone passing through the area. We receive over 350 mm of rainfall within 24 hours and dams that were dry have burst their banks. This means that it'll be a few weeks before all areas are accessible again, and work currently involves some serious river wading! The good news is that our groups are much easier to locate, finding themselves trapped on islands until the water has receded.
Unfortunately the study site is hit by a tropical cyclone passing through the area. We receive over 350 mm of rainfall within 24 hours and dams that were dry have burst their banks. This means that it'll be a few weeks before all areas are accessible again, and work currently involves some serious river wading! The good news is that our groups are much easier to locate, finding themselves trapped on islands until the water has receded.
November 2011
Data collection begins for Julie's MSc project. She'll be investigating various aspects of sentinel behaviour in dwarf mongooses.
Data collection begins for Julie's MSc project. She'll be investigating various aspects of sentinel behaviour in dwarf mongooses.
May 2011
Habituation begins on the Sorabi population.
Habituation begins on the Sorabi population.
