The influence of environmental, anthropogenic and health-related factors on endocrine correlates of free-ranging giraffes

My general interest lies in behavioral endocrinology. I am investigating the underlying factors influencing hormonal changes in wildlife and domestic animals. My research focus is monitoring hormones non-invasively, as it is a useful tool without the need of disturbing the natural behavior of an animal.

A component of my research focuses on the influence of anthropogenic and health-related factors on the stress response of giraffes. Therefore I am comparing glucocorticoid metabolite levels of different giraffe populations in relation to habitat size, population density and different management approaches. Additionally, energetic conditions of the animals are monitored using thyroid hormone metabolite concentrations and compared relative to health and body condition.

In my past research I have focused on male giraffes, monitoring faecal androgen and glucocorticoid metabolite levels to examine long-term patterns of steroid metabolite concentrations in relation to observed male behaviour.

I have also performed genetic and hormone analysis in a variety of primate and non-primate species

Publications

Postgraduate students