The Wildlife Conservation Research Unit

The planet’s human population increases by more than 200,000 people every day. At the same time, global consumption and inequality are rising. As a result, our planetary footprint is unsustainable, with ever more severe and intensifying pressure on finite natural resources throughout the world. The resulting environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change destroys nature and impacts human well-being. The mission of the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) is to achieve practical solutions to conservation problems through original scientific research. Our research is used worldwide to advise environmental policy-makers. The need for our efforts is greater than ever.

Part of the University of Oxford’s Department of Biology, WildCRU is a pioneering, inter-disciplinary research unit in a world-class academic centre. We underpin solutions to conservation problems through primary scientific research of the highest calibre. Our approach is empirical, interdisciplinary and collaborative, seeking to include all four elements of our “Conservation Quartet” research to understand and address the problem; education to explain it; community involvement to ensure participation and acceptance; and implementation of long-term solutions.


Video narrated by Prof David Macdonald. Created by, and used with the kind permission of United for Wildlife: www.unitedforwildlife.org/

News

Wolves as pollinators?

27/11/2024

New behaviours and species interactions in the Afroalpine. When we think of pollinators, we often picture flying creatures, such as bees, butterflies, birds or even bats. We certainly don’t ... Read full story

Congratulations to the Diploma class of 2024

23/10/2024

Since 2008, WildCRU has welcomed diploma students from around the world to provide world-class, practical training for early career conservationists, developing their knowledge of wildlife ecology and behaviour, ... Read full story

Assessing the status of Endangered Leopards in Southeast Asia

18/10/2024

The Critically Endangered Indochinese leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri) has disappeared from at least 95% of its historical range in Southeast Asia. Despite remaining populations being small and isolated, ... Read full story

View all news »