Equipping rangers with reliable data collection tools (e.g., #SMART) to track their patrols can help correct bias and improve poaching models. However, it’s a challenging journey that may require a separate thread. For more insights, check out this piece:

However, ranger-collected data can be unreliable due to patrol bias, leading to inaccurate models. 🤔 Collaborations between rangers and spatial modelers can help correct this bias and create more accurate maps.🗺️ https://t.co/OITuCXWqjc

Moving to poaching - it’s still a challenge in many landscapes, particularly in Africa. Its encouraging that spatial models built using ranger-collected and remote sensing data can help predict the drivers and distribution of elephant poaching. 🐘📊

Co-creating connectivity maps with communities in elephant🐘- inhabited landscapes showed how Indigenous knowledge 🌍 complements geospatial analysis 🛰️ for validating elephant corridors in data-limited areas. Community voices 🗣️ are key to tackling habitat fragmentation! 🌱

2) Most potential pathways for anthropogenic expansion cut across potential wildlife dispersal areas between protected areas. https://t.co/rs5aHtaGwU This makes identifying elephant corridors critical. But how do we assess and validate connectivity with limited telemetry data?🤔

Our findings revealed that: 1) Human activities are encroaching on natural landscapes. 📉 https://t.co/tcbvbZtN9u

As the poll suggests, I agree that habitat fragmentation is the top priority threat. Let’s dive into it first . We used deep learning and circuit theory to assess land use changes in the Okavango Basin, part of KAZA-the largest TFCA and home to the biggest elephant population.🐘

Before I share experience, I’d love to hear what you think is the most pressing issue to tackle for elephant conservation. 🐘💬 Imagine you had the power to save these majestic giants - what would you prioritize?

@Blekavhu @ucsc In recent years, I've worked with various mammal species in #Africa, including hippos, buffaloes, hyenas, and elephants. Today, however, I will focus on my research concerning the endangered African Savanna Elephant (#Loxodontaafricana).

Good morning! I’m Blessing Kavhu (@Blekavhu), and I’m excited to take over today for #BlackMammalogists! Join me as I dive into my work on mammals, with a focus on geospatial analysis. Currently, I'm a postdoc at @ucsc , and I can't wait to share my journey with you!

Thanks for joining me today folks! Have a restful weekend and, in the wise words of @sciencewithtyus, stay curious! Give me a follow on Twitter @Science_Miathod as I start my PhD. 🫡

They’re literally GIVING these away. Throw your hat in the ring for some sick field equipment!

(Basic) definitions: One Health- human, wildlife, & environmental health are all dependent on one another Zoonoses- diseases from animals to people Anthroponoses- diseases from people to animals Spillover- disease from one sp./popu. to another

So yeah, that’s what I’ve been up to for the last few years…any questions?

My ultimate goal is to understand host-microbe interactions and their effects on host outcomes. This info will allow us to look at individual- and population-level effects. Since everything’s connected (#OneHealth), there can be large effects on the health of a system.

That project is wrapping up right now (trying to finish writing the code between tweets!) It was definitely a pivot from what I had been working on, but a really interesting opportunity to get into microbiology. I’ll let y’all know when that paper is ready too.

I cultured A LOT of bacteria this summer.

This summer I worked on a project assessing human enteric pathogens carried by feral swine with an interest in swine found near agricultural systems. Essentially: 🐗 ➡️💩🦠🌾➡️😷🤢

Feral swine are an introduced species that have been implicated in quite a few problems in the US (e.g. ecosystem damage, disease, being incredibly cute, etc). https://t.co/EcNckpfMVt

I’m grateful to the lab and my PI for all the experience and support they provided to this growing, first-gen scientist. I officially left my lab of 5 years to pursue my PhD and explore new opportunities. Welcome to the summer of 50-60+ feral swine!