Mary Zarilla, a master’s student in Dr. Anne Axel’s lab, spent her summer in Uganda conducting fieldwork for her thesis on mammalian biodiversity in the Albertine Rift’s Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve.
This unique site is known for its dry-habitat chimpanzees and is home to the Semliki Chimpanzee Project, where our own Kim Dingess leads annual field courses. Despite its importance for primate research, the reserve has never had a formal biodiversity survey—until now.
Mary’s research aims to uncover which species call this area home, how they interact, and how poaching impacts local wildlife. Her findings will be shared with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and site staff to help guide conservation efforts, adjust ranger patrols, and protect vulnerable species.
Way to go, Mary—your work is helping science and conservation go hand-in-hand!