Prof Ara Monadjem, a biodiversity specialist from the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Eswatini, has been appointed as the new Head of the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of Pretoria from 1 June 2025.

When asked how he feels about his new position, he said: ”After 32 years of teaching at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA), it is with mixed feelings that I have taken up this new challenge. Leaving my home country of Eswatini will be tough, but moving to South Africa is both challenging and exciting. UP’s Department of Zoology and Entomology is arguably the most productive zoology department in Africa and indeed houses some of the top zoologists in the region. Being given the chance to work and collaborate with them is something that I look forward to.”

Prof Monadjem added, “However, I will be moving into a position requiring strong administrative expertise and people skills, no doubt with a steep learning curve. I am thrilled to be given this opportunity and am keen to get started at UP, meeting all the department staff members and interacting with the students.”

His research focuses on the ecology and conservation of African mammals and birds. Prof Monadjem specialises in field-based studies whose objectives are to obtain biological and taxonomic insights on rare and threatened species or to understand the ecological roles and ecosystem functions of these species in natural and agricultural landscapes. “Over the past 30 years, I have worked in remote locations across the African continent including the rain forests of tropical Africa, and the savannas of Southern and East Africa, including Madagascar. I also maintain long-term ecological field sites in Eswatini.”

Prof Monadjem has published widely, including eight books and more than 220 scientific (peer-reviewed) papers. He is currently supervising (or has supervised) more than 35 MSc and PhD students worldwide, including 20 from Eswatini.

He has also directly contributed to the Government of Eswatini's conservation initiatives by participating in the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and its revision. Furthermore, Prof Monadjem worked closely with the Eswatini National Trust Commission by conducting applied research on their protected areas, such as intensive baseline biodiversity surveys for the SNPAS project. He was the first chairperson of the Kingdom of Eswatini Academy of Science.

Prof Monadjem has developed long-term and productive collaborations with ecologists in South Africa, Europe and the USA during his academic career. He is a Courtesy Faculty at the University of Florida, USA, and a Research Fellow at the Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, South Africa.

As a researcher, he wants to further enhance our understanding of African savanna and forest ecosystems, emphasising the conservation of mammals and birds. He also wants to teach, mentor and share his enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, Africa’s wildlife with students, colleagues and the general public.