Research Summary
Zambezi River Valley, Zambia — The Zambezi River system provides habitat for an abundance of mammals, birds, amphibians, fishes, and reptiles. The Nile crocodile, an efficient and powerful predator that grows up to six meters long, is essential in this food web. Building on previous research in Botswana, Dr. Alison Leslie and her field staff are conducting a comprehensive research and monitoring program on Zambia’s crocodiles, investigating the status of the population in the area. The study will supply information on the impacts of hide hunting, egg harvesting, and the capture of breeding animals for crocodile farms — data needed to successfully manage crocodiles.
Meet the Scientists
Dr. Alison Leslie
University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
Dr. Leslie, Principal Investigator of the project, is a South African citizen and a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology at the University of Stellenbosch. She completed her Ph.D. degree at Drexel University in Philadelphia, studying the ecology and physiology of the Nile crocodile in South Africa. An experienced Earthwatch Principal Investigator, she helped coordinate a leatherback sea turtle project in Costa Rica in 1992, led a project on the St. Lucia Nile crocodile in 1995 and 1996, and from 2002 to 2006 was lead scientist of the Crocodiles of the Okavango project, for which she won the PI of the Year award in 2004. Dr. Leslie’s research specialties include aquatic ecology, vertebrate morphology and physiology, herpetology and conservation biology. She has contributed to 13 documentaries on crocodiles, including two National Geographic Television productions.
Kevin Wallace
University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
Mr. Wallace is a Field Team Leader for the project and leads Earthwatch teams when Dr. Leslie is unable to attend. He is currently conducting Ph.D. research through the Imperial College in London and is also affiliated with the University of Stellenbosch. Wallace has participated in research projects collecting behavioral data on meerkats and giraffes, both in South Africa, and also worked on a BBC program for the Natural World Series Meerkats. From 2003 to 2006 he worked with the Crocodiles of the Okavango project, led by Dr. Alison Leslie, and assisted with the running and management of Earthwatch teams.