Phoebe Griffith

Curriculum Vitae

2017–Present: DPhil Researcher, Oxford NERC Environmental Research DTP, Institute of Zoology and University of Oxford Department of Zoology Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU)
2017: Research Internship, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa
2015–2016: MSc Wild Animal Biology (Distinction) Royal Veterinary College and Zoological Society London
2014: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Research Internship, Panama
2012–2015: BA (Hons) Biological Sciences (First Class), University of Oxford

Current Research

My major research interests are herpetological and freshwater conservation. The focus of my DPhil is crocodilian conservation, in particular the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) in Nepal. I am undertaking this research as a member of both Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, WildCRU, and also the Zoological Society of London’s Institute of Zoology.

The aim of my DPhil is to collect spatial and reproductive ecology data on the gharial to inform ongoing conservation efforts on the species. I am working with ZSL (Zoological Society of London) to conduct a study on the ecology of gharial in the Rapti and Narayani rivers in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. In particular, we aim to conduct post-release monitoring of gharial that are captive-reared as part of the National Park’s ongoing conservation efforts for the species, and compare this to ecological data we are collecting on free-living gharial. Using telemetry, observational data, camera trapping and local ecological knowledge we aim to build a strong evidence base for future work in Nepal to conserve this Critically Endangered species. I am also interested in the evaluation of head-starting as a conservation and management strategy in crocodilians more generally.

I am a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Crocodile Specialist Group, and a National Geographic Explorer.

Supervisors

Professor Claudio Sillero, Associate Professor of Conservation Biology, Deputy Director of WildCRU, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford

Professor Samuel Turvey, Senior Research Fellow, ZSL Institute of Zoology

Professor Jeffrey Lang, Emeritus Professor, University of North Dakota

Publications

Jeffs, C. T., Kennedy, P., Griffith, P., Gripenberg, S., Markesteijn, L., & Lewis, O. T. (2018). Seed predation by insects across a tropical forest precipitation gradient. Ecological Entomology, 43(6), 813-822.