Today we had a fabulous talk from our resident mugger expert Dr Brinky Desai, co-founder of the Early Career Croc Network.  Now Chief Scientist at the Mahim Pandhi Wildlife Foundation (https://pandhi.org/), Bhuj, India, Brinky took the hot seat to share highlights from her academic research on mugger crocodiles. She shared her engaging journey through years of fieldwork, crocodile encounters, research challenges, surprising discoveries, and let us hear some of the stories behind the science. Brinky discussed her work on individual identification of crocodiles with drones, on behavioural and endocrine measures to inform biology, working with communities in conflict and coexistence, and on broader conservation and community initiatives. We were delighted by an epilogue of mugger behavioural videos too, sharing the drama of life as a crocodile, and as a crocodile scientist!  We had an exciting Q&A with insights from others working on the species, and with co-occurring species in South Asia.

July 31, 2026

The Early Career Croc Network hosted Dr. Gowri Mallapur for an engaging Expert Talk session, where she shared insights into her professional journey spanning over 30 years of working with reptiles and her experiences in reptile research, conservation, and zoological institutions.

Dr. Gowri spoke about her journey from working with snakes in Mumbai to working with crocodilians at the Madras Crocodile Bank, followed by her experiences working with a diverse range of reptile species across India.

Her career journey offered an inspiring perspective on the diverse pathways available within herpetology, reptile research, conservation, and wildlife institutions. The session highlighted how a career in reptiles can evolve over time, with opportunities to work with different species, institutions, and conservation initiatives.

The ECCN community was grateful to Dr. Gowri for sharing her experiences and offering valuable insights and inspiration to the next generation of early-career researchers, conservationists, and herpetologists.

Key themes:

• 30 years of professional experience in herpetology
• Academic and professional journeys in reptile conservation
• Working with snakes in Mumbai
• Crocodilian research and conservation
• Working at the Madras Crocodile Bank
• Reptile diversity across India
• Working with diverse reptile species
• Careers in zoological and conservation institutions
• Professional pathways in herpetology
• Opportunities for early-career herpetologists and conservationists

April 29, 2022

The Early Career Croc Network hosted Nikhil Whitaker for an engaging Expert Talk session, where he shared insights into his academic and professional journey and his experiences working with crocodilians and other reptiles.

Nikhil spoke about his journey from his academic background to working as Head Curator of Reptiles at the Madras Crocodile Bank, and his subsequent experiences working with a diverse range of reptile species across India and other countries.

His career journey offered an inspiring perspective on the many pathways available within herpetology, zoological institutions, reptile conservation, and wildlife education. The session also highlighted how experience working with crocodilians can open doors to broader opportunities in reptile research and conservation.

The ECCN community was grateful to Nikhil for sharing his experiences and offering inspiration and guidance to the next generation of early-career researchers and conservationists.

Key themes:

• Academic and professional journeys in herpetology
• Crocodilian research and conservation
• Reptile conservation
• Working as a reptile curator
• Madras Crocodile Bank
• Reptile diversity across India and beyond
• Careers in zoological institutions
• Wildlife education and conservation
• Opportunities for early-career herpetologists

May 28, 2022

The Early Career Croc Network hosted an engaging Speed-Networking session bringing together ECCN members from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

The session provided a wonderful opportunity for members to interact individually, introduce themselves, and share their experiences, research, and field stories. The exchange created a space for members to learn from one another, discover shared interests, and build connections across countries and cultures.

The session was a fun and fascinating exchange of ideas, experiences, and enthusiasm, strengthening the sense of community within the ECCN and highlighting the value of connecting early-career crocodilian researchers and conservationists across Asia.

Key themes:

• Speed networking
• Connecting early-career researchers across Asia
• India, Pakistan, Nepal, Indonesia, and the Philippines
• Sharing research and field experiences
• Knowledge and idea exchange
• Building professional networks
• International collaboration
• Strengthening the ECCN community

July 29, 2022

The Early Career Croc Network hosted Dr. Gaurav Vashistha for an engaging Expert Talk session focused on his academic and professional journey as an early-career crocodilian researcher.

Gaurav shared his experiences navigating his academic career, including the various challenges, ups and downs, and lessons from his PhD journey. His story provided an honest and inspiring perspective on the realities of building a career in crocodilian research and conservation.

The session was particularly valuable for early-career researchers, offering insights into the different stages of an academic journey and the perseverance required to pursue a career in wildlife research and conservation.

Gaurav also shared his plans for his upcoming work on gharial conservation in Katarniaghat, offering an exciting glimpse into his future research and conservation efforts with the species.

Key themes:

• Early-career journeys in crocodilian research
• Academic and professional development
• Experiences and challenges during a PhD
• Research and conservation careers
• Gharial conservation
• Future research in Katarniaghat
• Lessons and inspiration for early-career researchers

September 23, 2022

The Early Career Croc Network hosted Dr. Agata Staniewicz for an engaging Expert Talk session, where she shared insights into her academic journey and her experience working in the emerging field of crocodilian acoustics.

Drawing from her research and field experiences, Agata introduced participants to the fascinating world of crocodilian acoustic communication and shared stories from her work in the field. Her experiences offered an inspiring perspective on the opportunities and challenges of pursuing specialised research in crocodilian biology.

The session provided early-career researchers with an opportunity to learn from Agata's academic and research journey while exploring the potential of acoustics and bioacoustics as tools for understanding crocodilian behaviour and communication.

Key themes:

• Crocodilian acoustics
• Bioacoustics
• Crocodilian behaviour and communication
• Academic and research journeys
• Fieldwork experiences
• Emerging approaches in crocodilian research
• Opportunities for early-career researchers

October 28, 2022

The Early Career Croc Network began its second year with its first session of 2023, bringing together both returning and new members of the network.

Network member Phoebe Griffith presented findings from her recently completed thesis on gharial conservation in Nepal. Drawing from her fieldwork in Chitwan, she shared both the successes and challenges of conducting conservation research in the field—from the encouraging discovery of wild gharial hatchlings to the difficulties posed by wild elephants and flooding.

Phoebe also discussed the results of her research and how these findings can contribute to and inform future gharial conservation efforts in Nepal.

The session offered members an opportunity to learn from the experiences of an early-career researcher while highlighting the realities of field-based crocodilian conservation research.

Key themes:

• Gharial conservation
• Nepal
• Chitwan
• Field research and conservation
• Gharial reproduction and wild hatchlings
• Challenges of fieldwork
• Flooding and wildlife interactions
• Applying research to future conservation efforts

January 27, 2023

The Early Career Croc Network was delighted to host Dr. Marisa Tellez for the Expert Talk session.

Drawing on her experience as a crocodilian conservationist with the Crocodile Research Coalition, Dr. Tellez shared valuable insights and practical advice on one of the most important aspects of crocodilian conservation: working with people.

The discussion explored approaches to engaging communities and the wider public with crocodilians, particularly how to encourage greater interest and appreciation for these culturally important predators. Dr. Tellez highlighted the importance of understanding people's perspectives and finding effective ways to build positive connections between communities and crocodilian conservation.

The session sparked an engaging discussion and provided early-career researchers with valuable perspectives on the human dimensions of crocodilian conservation.

Key themes:

• People-centred conservation
• Community engagement
• Human–crocodilian relationships
• Communicating the importance of crocodilians
• Culturally important predators
• Public interest and awareness
• Conservation education
• Practical advice for early-career conservationists

March 15, 2023

In 2022, the Early Career Croc Network had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Robert Stuebing for an engaging and insightful Expert Talk session.

Drawing on his decades of experience in crocodilian research and conservation, Rob shared stories and insights from his remarkable journey working with crocodilians. Participants were particularly inspired by his experiences with Tomistoma conservation in Kalimantan, as well as the many memorable and entertaining stories from his fieldwork.

The session offered early-career researchers a valuable opportunity to learn directly from Rob's extensive experience and gain a deeper appreciation of the challenges, adventures, and rewards of working in crocodilian conservation.

His journey and dedication continue to serve as an inspiration to members of the Early Career Croc Network and to the next generation of crocodilian conservationists.

Key themes:

• Crocodilian conservation
• Tomistoma conservation
• Kalimantan
• Fieldwork experiences
• Lessons from decades of conservation work
• Career journeys in crocodilian research and conservation
• Inspiration for early-career conservationists

August 26, 2022

The Early Career Croc Network was honoured to host Dr. Grahame Webb, former Chairman of the IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group, for an Expert Talk with ECCN members.

Drawing on his decades of experience in crocodilian conservation, Dr. Webb shared valuable insights into global crocodilian recovery programmes and the evolution of conservation efforts around the world. He also discussed the important role of the IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG) in bringing together scientific expertise and shaping science-based conservation policy and action.

The session provided a valuable opportunity for young researchers and aspiring CSG members to learn from one of the pioneers of modern crocodilian conservation and gain a deeper understanding of the global conservation landscape.

Key themes:

• Global crocodilian conservation
• Crocodilian recovery programmes
• IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group
• Science-based conservation policy
• Conservation action and management
• The evolution of crocodilian conservation
• Opportunities for young researchers
• The future of the global crocodilian conservation community

December 31, 2024

The Early Career Croc Network had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Rainier Manalo, Program Director of Crocodylus Porosus Philippines Inc., as an Expert Speaker.

With more than two decades of experience in crocodilian conservation, Mr. Manalo shared valuable insights into sustainable use, science-based management, and community-based conservation of crocodilians in the Philippines.

His work spans a wide range of conservation efforts, from leading crocodilian habitat research to representing the Philippines at CITES. His career demonstrates the importance of combining scientific research, effective management, policy engagement, and community involvement to achieve long-term conservation outcomes.

The session provided early-career conservationists with an inspiring perspective on the diverse pathways through which dedicated professionals can contribute to crocodilian conservation.

Key themes:

• Crocodilian conservation in the Philippines
• Sustainable use of crocodilians
• Science-based conservation management
• Community-based conservation
• Habitat research
• CITES and international conservation policy
• Long-term conservation practice
• Career pathways in crocodilian conservation

September 29, 2023

The Early Career Croc Network hosted Dr. Sergio Balaguera-Reina, a Colombian marine biologist and conservationist, for an Expert Speaker session exploring his journey in crocodilian research and conservation.

Drawing from his experience working with crocodylians in the Greater Everglades and conducting conservation research across Latin America and the Caribbean, Dr. Sergio shared insights into the diverse challenges and opportunities involved in crocodilian conservation.

His integrative approach, combining ecology, molecular biology, geosciences, and systematics, demonstrated the value of bringing together multiple scientific disciplines to better understand and conserve crocodilian species and their habitats.

The session offered early-career researchers an inspiring look at the breadth of crocodilian research and the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to conservation.

Key themes:

• Crocodilian conservation
• Greater Everglades
• Latin America and the Caribbean
• Ecology
• Molecular biology
• Geosciences
• Systematics
• Interdisciplinary conservation research

February 23, 2024

Kate Mastro joined the Early Career Croc Network to share her professional journey and insights from more than 15 years with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

The session highlighted the importance of mentorship, capacity building, and knowledge sharing in developing the next generation of conservation professionals. Kate also discussed the value of supporting young conservationists through initiatives such as the John Thorbjarnarson Fellowship, which provides opportunities for early-career researchers working with crocodilians.

The conversation emphasised that investing in people is just as important as investing in wildlife. By creating opportunities for mentorship, professional development, and knowledge exchange, conservation programmes can help build a stronger and more connected community for the future.

The session also introduced early-career crocodilian researchers to fellowship opportunities that can support their research and conservation careers.

Key themes:

• Conservation leadership
• Mentorship and professional development
• Capacity building
• Supporting young conservationists
• Knowledge sharing
• John Thorbjarnarson Fellowship
• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
• Career opportunities in crocodilian conservation

March 29, 2024

At the end of the year, the Early Career Croc Network hosted a series of "Meet and Greet" sessions, providing new members from around the world with an opportunity to introduce themselves and share their work with crocodiles, gharials, alligators, and caimans.

The sessions showcased the incredible diversity of research, conservation, and professional work being undertaken by early-career researchers and professionals across the global crocodilian community. It was a wonderful opportunity for members to connect, learn about each other's work, and build new collaborations.

The ECCN looks forward to continuing to connect early-career crocodilian professionals, supporting their work, and strengthening a global community dedicated to crocodilian research and conservation.

Key themes:

• Global ECCN community
• Early-career researchers and professionals
• Crocodilian research and conservation
• Networking and collaboration
• Introducing new members
• Building international connections

June  17, 2025

Colin Stevenson joined the ECCN Expert Talk series to share his extensive experience and insights into the conservation of the mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris).

The session provided an overview of the species' conservation status, covering topics ranging from conservation action planning to IUCN Red List assessments. Colin also offered valuable guidance for early-career researchers working with crocodilians and highlighted the importance of robust scientific information in shaping conservation priorities.

The session also included an engaging discussion on the IUCN Red List assessment of the mugger crocodile, allowing participants to contribute their perspectives and explore the challenges and priorities involved in crocodilian conservation.

Key themes:

• Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) conservation
• IUCN Red List assessments
• Conservation action planning
• Conservation status and priorities
• Research and conservation of crocodilians
• Guidance for early-career researchers

June 18, 2025