Nathan Dowds

Experience

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  The University of Manchester

  Apr 2011 - Apr 2011

  Animal Behaviour field course

  Completed a group project on butterfly biodiversity in a private game reserve in the Limpopo region.

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  The University of Manchester

  Jul 2012 - Aug 2012

  Tropical Biology Field course

  Designed and implemented a group project on biodiversity contained within bromeliads in the cloud forest and a longer individual project on amphibians in primary tropical rainforest.

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  Wildlife Institute of India

  Sept 2013 - Nov 2013

  Amphibian Field research intern

  Learned laboratory techniques in DNA extraction from confiscated wildlife samples, at the wildlife forensic lab, WII Campus in Dehradun. Investigated and assessed potential areas for experimentation in the Kannamalay tea estate. Carried out a pilot project examining artificial refugia by amphibians in tea bushes.

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  University of Exeter

  Jan 2015 - Jan 2015

  MSc Conservation Science & Policy field course

  Two week Masters field course to Kenya:Conducted discussion groups with Maasai to establish what socioeconomic issues they were facing.Visited resource-sensitive industries to determine sustainability and economic potential for developmentLarge mammal vehicle transects

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  SAVE THE ELEPHANTS

  Apr 2016 - Sept 2016

  Elephants and Bees Project Officer

  Managed a team of four local community members, several interns at a time and two MSc students, including setting the agenda for the week. Co-managed a group of 5 University of Exeter undergraduate students, who visited the project for three weeks. Led tours of the project site, to groups that wanted to set up their own beehive fence.Acquired in-depth knowledge of Human-Elephant conflict in developing communities.Responsible for keeping the project accounts, maintaining a budget and camp supplies.Sole driver of the project LandRover and in charge of its maintenance and upkeep. Very competent in honey harvesting (one harvest season), beehive fence maintenance & construction.Lead individual for performing tracking of crop-raiding elephants (maximum distance in one day, 24km), using a GPS and taking down required information throughout the track. Show less

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  Carnivore Research Africa

  Oct 2019 - Dec 2019

  Research Assistant

  Active member of a small team with the aim of removing one snare (Spotted Hyena) and two unresponsive collars (Spotted Hyena and side striped Jackal). Became proficient in VHF radio-tracking techniques & the use of camera traps for hyena den monitoring and capture attempts. Learned carnivore capture techniques of pre-baiting, scent dragging and the use of leg-hold traps.Underwent seven nights & nine nights of attempted Jackal & Hyena Capture, with one snare being successful removed and one animal fitted with a new GPS collar. Show less

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  The Pangolin Project

  Feb 2020 - Mar 2022

  Field Assistant

  Managed a team of three staff members and organized replacement staff when required.Led a conservation research experience to high-end safari clientele. Recorded daily information gathered from approximately 10 camera traps located in a big 5 environment. Assisted with five days of Narok County Ranger pangolin training.

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  Loisaba Conservancy (Oryx Ltd.)

  Apr 2022 - May 2022

  Conservation Intern

  Aided the conservation team in the development of a 5 year management plan for the removal of Opuntia engelmanii from Loisaba conservancy, Laikipia.Lead person in the the acquisition of Satellite imagery for improved biodiversity & landscape monitoring; especially for the developing the 5 year Opuntia englemanii management plan.Performed any other fieldwork required.

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  Winda.guide

  Jun 2022 - Nov 2022

  Partnerships Lead

  Liaised with ~200 properties within Kenya and East Africa, forming relationships and acquiring preferred ratesPart of a team that organized the Accommodation at "Dwana in the Wild"- a successful music festival near Amboseli National ParkOrganized tourism trips from start to finish for several clients.