Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria

06/09/2026

Our Department was represented at the Spring Graduation ceremony on Thursday 3 September at 14:30, at which we celebrated the graduation of 1 Honours, 4 Masters and 1 Doctoral students.

Congratulations to all students and their supervisors!

MSc and PhD graduates below (supervisors listed in brackets, * = Distinction)

Honours Entomology (1)
Carter, Michelle McLachlan Courtney

Masters Zoology (3)
* Grenfell, Kerryn Leigh (Bennett)
* Voges, Jochen Jonathan (McKechnie/Freeman)
Willoughby, Sian (Hall/Ganswindt)

Masters Entomology (1)
Jazi, Zimazile (Schröder/Hurley/Makunde)

PhD Zoology (1)
Paynee, Dominique Kelsi (Vermeulen/Bloomer)

05/09/2026

01/09/2026

Entomological research to support the South African citrus industry. 🍊🍋

Dylan Pullock and Chris Weldon recently represented the Department and FABI at the 13th Citrus Research International Citrus Symposium in the Drakensberg.

They spoke about how pest fruit flies are distributed in the a citrus production landscape, and provided advice on how to ensure that control of fruit flies can be improved.

28/08/2026

28/08/2026

Our Department is making a difference in black rhino conservation through research on their behaviour. 🦏

Honours research by Devon Kerr, and work published in Oikos by Rachel Stein and Adrian Shrader has gained coverage in the media after being featured by the WWF South Africa.

Follow the links to read these and also stay tuned to Radio 786 in Cape Town later today to listen to an interview with Adrian Shrader on how long-term data on black rhino location in reserves has helped to better understand interactions between these often solitary animals.

https://www.wwf.org.za/?58705/Research-casts-new-light-on-black-rhino-behaviour

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-08-24-two-decades-of-tracking-data-unlocks-new-secrets-to-saving-black-rhinos/

https://www.news24.com/southafrica/news/do-black-rhinos-have-best-friends-new-research-uncovers-rhino-social-dynamics-20260826-0657

More than two decades of data from WWF's Black Rhino Range Expansion Project have yielded new scientific insights into black rhino behaviour, reproduction and social interactions.

22/08/2026

Think Parktown prawns escaped from a Wits lab? Think oogpisters are out to blind you?

South African insects carry a lot of wild myths, but they deserve a little less folklore and a whole lot better PR!

It’s time to celebrate our native creeps and crawlies for what they really are.

Go nominate your favourite Insect!

Whether it's a hardworking garden predator, a vital pollinator, or a misunderstood local hero, give them the spotlight they deserve.

Nominate your insect here: https://entsocsa.co.za/

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfAK2E7kEu0

Read more on News24 South Africa here: https://www.news24.com/southafrica/debunking/did-parktown-prawns-escape-from-a-wits-lab-we-bust-sas-best-insect-myths-20260820-1094

21/08/2026

📢 WE ARE HIRING!

We are looking for a looking for a Senior Director, KPA Resource Mobilization to help shape and drive ambitious resource mobilization strategies for the Keystone Protected Area Finance (KPAF) Initiative. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic leader to help unlock sustainable financing for some of Africa’s most important protected areas.

The role will lead the Resource Mobilization Technical Assistance Facility, build strategic relationships with governments and funders, and help bring new conservation finance opportunities from concept to implementation.

The position can be based in Nairobi, Kenya; or Cape Town or Johannesburg, South Africa.

📅 Application Deadline: 18 September 2026 (11:49 PM EST). Please note that applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged.

🔗 For more information and to apply: https://phh.tbe.taleo.net/phh04/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=CONSERVATION&cws=39&rid=2774

21/08/2026

As part of our women's month celebration, we will spotlight the amazing work done by the women in our research group.

Introducting Nolwandle Khumalo( ) who's study is influenced by the role bees play in the ecosystem as pollinators. Considering, this role, bees are known to be impacted by diet , she thus looks at how different protein diets can influence the gut microbiota and the functional enzymes of the bees, this course of work is very important in providing valuable insights into improving honey bee health.