Lara Semple

Experience

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  Frontier

  Oct 2012 - Dec 2012

  Research Assistant

  - Involved in many research projects including bird identification surveys, Black and Sportive lemur observations, reptile and amphibian daily pitfall trapping and identification

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  The Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES)

  Aug 2015 - Nov 2015

  Intern

  Intern within the Herpetology Department. LaCONES is a government-run organisation. Outcomes: - Guidelines for how to raise grasshoppers successfully for Indian Zoo Authority- Guidelines on how to implement an enrichment program for large cats in zoos for Indian Zoo Authority- lab experience- knowledge of working for a governmental organisation in a developing country

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  Aaranyak

  Nov 2015 - Dec 2015

  Research Volunteer

  - creation of publications to raise awareness for Greater One-Horned Rhino conservation- habitat restoration work in the Greater Adjutant Stork conservation project- interacting with local people for information on Stork mortalities

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  Warwickshire County Council

  Dec 2015 - May 2016

  Data Entry

  Extraction of records from ecological reports associated with planning applications for Warwickshire Biological Records Centre. Converting planning reports including records of bats, plants, badgers, reptiles and amphibians, birds, hedgehogs, otters, water vole, butterflies and other mammals

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  Western Australian Department of Parks and Wildlife

  May 2016 - Nov 2016

  Research Intern

  This research contributed to my degree as my Master's thesis project. My research focused on the genetic health of a small population of reintroduced Brush-tail Possums (Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus).This study involved using 13 microsatellite loci to investigate the genetic diversity, relatedness and inbreeding of the translocated population compared with the three source populations. From these results and population viability analysis, future management strategies were proposed. This research is the first study to document patterns of genetic diversity and highlight the issues with translocation for this sub-species. Show less

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  James Cook University

  Jan 2017 - Feb 2017

  Road Mapping Volunteer

  Working with Google Maps to map roads in Sumatra to identify important biodiversity hotspots and regularly used roadways. The aim of the project is to advise the Indonesian authorities on areas to prioritize resources for road building and where to conserve wildlife.

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  Warwickshire County Council

  Oct 2017 - Dec 2017

  Data Entry

  Working in the Warwickshire Biological Records Centre digitizing historic floral records from 1950 - 1965 using Recorder software

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  Scottish Wildcat Action

  Dec 2017 - Mar 2018

  Winter Fieldwork Volunteer

  - Surveying for wildcats, feral domestics and hybrids in Wildcat Conservation Priority Areas- Undertaking humane Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return work - Using trail cameras in a systematic survey to gain estimation of current distribution of wildcats- Daily communication with local volunteers and landowners- Dissemination of information to the public level- Tackling with conflicting opinions- Public engagement through door knocking and community talks

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  Trees for Life

  Feb 2018 - Mar 2018

  Red Squirrel Translocation Volunteer

  - Maintenance and recording of activity at multiple feeding sites - Assemble, pre-bait and set traps- Follow strict translocation protocol from pre-baiting to release stage- Communication with project officer, other volunteers and vet

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  VETS4PETS UK LIMITED

  Apr 2018 - Aug 2018

  Receptionist

  - booking appointments for clients- cash reconciliation and daily banking - dispensing prescriptions - giving advice with regard to insurance and pet care plans- maintaining hygiene standards with the reception area - effective communication with vets and vet nurses to ensure smooth running of the practice- ensuring important documents are stored correctly

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  NATURETREK LIMITED

  Sept 2018 - Aug 2019

  Tailormade Holiday Assistant
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  HART Wildlife Rescue Centre

  Oct 2018 - Nov 2019

  Husbandry Volunteer

  - husbandry of injured or rescued animals in the hospital- species including collared dove, wood pigeon, hedgehog, grey squirrel- maintain high biosecurity standards- twice monthly volunteering

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  WildCRU

  Jan 2020 - Apr 2021

  Administrative Assistant

  The Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) is a large research group within the Department of Zoology of Oxford University, with over 60 staff and students (and many more local field support staff). WildCRU’s support team provides a wide range of administrative duties across all WildCRU’s activities including research, teaching, development and outreach.Reporting primarily to the Unit Manager, the key roles are to provide general secretarial, administrative and financial support to WildCRU, including student administration for the Recanati-Kaplan Centre Postgraduate Diploma in International Wildlife Conservation Practice. Show less

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  University of Oxford

  May 2021 - Feb 2022

  Environmental Sustainability Programme Assistant

  This role, part of the Environmental Sustainability team, is to assist with communications of all forms, as well as to deliver engagement programmes namely, Green Impact, Student Switch Off and other engagement events and activities. Reporting to the Environmental Sustainability Programme Manager, I develop and deliver the engagement and communications strategy and support staff and students from across the University in a professional and knowledgeable manner.

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  Vincent Wildlife Trust

  Feb 2022 - Sept 2022

  Volunteering and Community Engagement Officer

  Vincent Wildlife Trust is an independently funded charity that has been at the forefront of wildlife conservation for over 40 years. Our work focuses on threatened mammals in Britain, Ireland and, increasingly, continental Europe. Currently, the Trust’s research is centred on the rarer bats and the smaller mustelids, including pine marten, polecat and stoat.Working closely with conservation staff, lead VWT’s volunteer work to support the Trust’s conservation programmes and, in liaison with communications staff, undertake effective communication activities as part of VWT’s awareness raising and public/stakeholder engagement programme. Show less

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  Saving Wildcats

  Sept 2022 - now

  Saving Wildcats Conservation Project Officer

  Implementing field-based activities of the Saving Wildcats project and delivering targeted work primarily around the Cairngorms National Park that support threat mitigation, field surveys, population monitoring, and public engagement whilst working to international best practice guidance and relevant national legislation.