As part of National Science Week, from 2-9 August 2014, the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa will be presenting free public lectures focussing on conservation and research. The lectures are scheduled to be held on Saturday, 2 August 2014 from 14:30-18:00 at the NZG’s Education Centre. Safe parking is available in front of the zoo.
The presenters and topics are as follows:
Prof Michael Gaines will speak on lion research. He is a professor in Zoology at the University of Miami, USA, Assistant Provost in undergraduate and community outreach programmes at the University of Miami, a member of the DST Science Centre Accreditation Team and the author of numerous research articles
Prof Ray Jansen will present on the plight of South Africa’s Ground Pangolin. He is Associate Professor in ecology at the Tshwane University of Technology, a member of the African Pangolin Working Group, a member of the NZG Research Ethics and Scientific Committee as well as the author of numerous research articles
Prof Vinny Naidoo will discuss research conducted on vultures. He is Associate Professor in Veterinary Pharmacology at the University of Pretoria, Director of the University of Pretoria’s Biomedical Research Institute, a member of the NZG Research Ethics and Scientific Committee and author of numerous research articles on vultures.
Ulrich Oberprieler will present about the current rhino crisis. He is the Education Manager at the National Zoo and Head of the NZG Academy, Deputy Chair of the NZG Research Ethics and Scientific Committee, a member of the BirdLife SA / NZG collaborative White-winged Flufftail project and author of numerous nature books.
Dr Hanneline Smit-Robinson will bring the audience up to date on one of South Africa’s critically endangered birds, the White-winged flufftail. She is Conservation Manager of BirdLife South Africa, a member of the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology’s Centre of Excellence board at the University of Cape Town, a member of the BirdLife SA / NZG collaborative White-winged Flufftail project and author of numerous research articles.
In addition, there will be a practical presentation on the National Zoo’s African Penguin breeding programme by its conservation staff.
Bookings are essential. Please contact Piet Seloana at piet@nzg.ac.za or on telephone 012 339 2775.