Fay Clark

Curriculum Vitae:

• 2010: PhD student, Institute of Zoology and Royal Veterinary College, London.
• 2008-2009: MPhil Human Evolutionary Studies (majoring in Primatology), University of Cambridge (Distinction).
• 2007-2008: Animal Behaviourist, ZSL London Zoo, Zoological Society of London.
• 2006-2007: MSc Wild Animal Biology, the Institute of Zoology, and the Royal Veterinary College, London (Distinction).
• 2006: Animal Records and Research Officer, Colchester Zoo, Essex.
• 2005: Field Assistant, Tsaobis Baboon Project, Institute of Zoology.
• 2004-2005: Research Assistant, Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Devon.
• 2001-2004: BSc Zoology, University of Southampton.
• 2000,2001: Research Volunteer, the Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory, Oahu, Hawaii.
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Research Interests:

I am interested in the behaviour and welfare of wild animals housed in zoos (including aquaria, wildlife parks and sanctuaries). My PhD explores how 'cognitive challenges' (i.e. providing relevant and motivating problem-solving opportunities) can be used to enhance the psychological well-being of large-brained mammals living in zoos. For this, I use great apes and cetaceans as model taxa, and the great ape component of my research is undertaken at ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos. A fundamental question in my research has been whether like humans, other large-brained mammals find 'puzzles' inherently enriching without the need for an external reward (such as food). I hope that my PhD will have practical implications, helping to inform future management practices in zoos.

Supervisors:

This research is collaboration between the Institute of Zoology, and the Royal Veterinary College.
Dr Tony Sainsbury (Institute of Zoology)
Dr Trenton Garner (Institute of Zoology)
Professor Christopher Wathes (Royal Veterinary College)
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Links:

Royal Veterinary College Staff page
ZSL London Zoo
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Grants and Awards:

(2012) UFAW Small Project Award to investigate the cognition and psychological well-being of bottlenose dolphins.
(2011) International Conference on Veterinary and Animal Ethics (ICVAE) Early Career Bursary.
(2011) Institute of Zoology Daisy Balogh Travel Grant to attend the X International Conference on Environmental Enrichment.
(2010) UFAW Small Project Award to investigate the cognition and psychological well-being of chimpanzees.
(2009) LSB Leakey Trust Research Grant to investigate the social networks of chimpanzees.
(2008) Disney's Animal Kingdom & Brevard Zoo Travel Grant to attend the Gorilla Workshop Symposium.
(2007) Highest Aggregate Mark - MSc Wild Animal Biology
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Journal Reviewer:

Journals include: Zoo Biology, American Journal of Primatology, International Journal of Primatology, Animal Welfare, International Journal of Comparative Psychology.
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Publications:

CLARK, F.E., FITZPATRICK, M., HARTLEY, A., KING, A.J., LEE, T., ROUTH, A., WALKER, S., & GEORGE, K. (2012). The relationship between behaviour, adrenal activity and environment in zoo-housed Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). Zoo Biology 31(3):306-321.

CLARK, F.E. & MELFI, V.A. (2012). Environmental Enrichment for a Mixed-Species Nocturnal Mammal Exhibit. Zoo Biology 31:397-413.

CLARK, F.E. 2011 (b). Great Ape Cognition and Care: Can Cognitive Challenges Enhance Psychological Well-being? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 135(1):1-12. Additional coverage: BBC Nature , ZSL Wild Science Blog

CLARK, F.E. 2011. Space to choose: Network analysis of social preferences in a captive chimpanzee community, and implications for management. American Journal of Primatology 73(8):748-757. This article was one of the top ten downloaded articles of 2010, published online 30 Nov 2010.

KING, A.J., CLARK, F.E. & COWLISHAW, G. 2011. The dining etiquette of desert baboons: the roles of social bonds, kinship, and dominance in co-feeding networks. American Journal of Primatology 73(8):768-774. Additional coverage: BBC Nature , Planet Earth Online

CLARK, F.E. & KING, A.J. (2008). A critical review of zoo-based olfactory enrichment. In: Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 11. Hurst, J. L., Beynon, R. J., Roberts, C. S. & Wyatt, T. D. (Eds). New York: Springer. p 391-398.

DOW, S. & CLARK, F.E. (Eds) (2007). Annual Symposium on Zoo Research: 2006, Colchester Zoo. The Federation of Zoological Gardens of Great Britain and Ireland, London.