Dr. Matt Shirley - Expert talk
Dr. Matt Shirley took participants deep into the tropical forests and wetlands of West and Central Africa, sharing his remarkable journey of discovering three new crocodilian species.
The session explored how innovative research tools—including environmental DNA (eDNA), telemetry, and distribution modelling—can be used to understand crocodilian populations and strengthen conservation efforts.
Through his experiences in the field, Dr. Shirley highlighted the importance of combining cutting-edge technology with field biology to advance crocodilian conservation and improve our understanding of these often-overlooked species.
Key themes:
- Discovery of new crocodilian species
- Crocodilian conservation
- West and Central African crocodilians
- Environmental DNA (eDNA)
- Telemetry
- Species distribution modelling
- Field biology and research methods
July 20, 2025