Davis Fellow, Rachel Ellis ’14, Studies Chimpanzee Poaching in Uganda
Study aims to better protect chimps in Kibale National Park
| Rachel received a 2012 A.V. Davis Fellowship to conduct summer research with Biology Lecturer Sonya Kahlenberg on illegal poaching in Kibale National Park, Uganda – a key habitat for the conservation of endangered chimpanzees. They used long-term data from anti-poaching patrols conducted in the park since 1997 and GIS to identify the areas that present the highest risk to resident chimpanzees and are most in need of increased protection. Rachel then spent the month of August 2012 in Kibale to follow up on her research and help the anti-poaching team implement a revised data collection protocol. |
 After discovering an illegally set trap, KSRP senior ranger John Okwilo demonstrates for Rachel Ellis how animals are captured. |
 Rachel Ellis discusses how snares are identified on patrols with the KSRP team. |