- WHAT WE ARE DOING -

Our ecological research investigates how carnivores compete with one another for resources in grassland and semi-desert steppe environments. The research involves extensive radio tracking to quantify patterns of habitat and space use and activity patterns among each species. We also analyse carnivore faeces to evaluate competition for prey resources and survey small mammal populations each season to understand trophic-level dynamics. To measure the impact of hunting, we are evaluating the direct and indirect effects of hunting on each species. This work involves surveying the abundance of all carnivores in and out of protected areas and interviewing herders to determine harvest rates, species most at risk, and socio-economic factors driving hunting pressure. Our conservation programme is also under development and will include workshops that train herders in wildlife census techniques, provide educational opportunities, and raise awareness. The programme also seeks to develop wildlife management policies, strengthen hunting regulations, and bolster protection of the study area.