Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria

05/06/2026

WE ARE HIRING! 📢

We are looking for a Senior Technical Director for the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA) based in Acornhoek, South Africa.

This is a senior leadership role focused on providing strategic and technical oversight across one of South Africa’s most important conservation landscapes. The position plays a key role in guiding large-scale, multi-stakeholder conservation and development programmes, including rangeland restoration, climate resilience, and nature-based solutions.

📅 Application deadline: 25 June 2026 (11:49 PM EST)
🔗 For more information and to apply: https://phh.tbe.taleo.net/phh04/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=CONSERVATION&cws=39&rid=2732

05/06/2026

Today is ! Here’s something we don’t hear often enough: “We’re not failing conservation, we’re measuring it badly.”

A global study co-authored by the University of Pretoria shows that nature is actually recovering in many places, even if global averages don’t always show it. It’s a powerful reminder that better data helps us see what’s working, so we can do more of it.

Read more: https://ow.ly/RZmH50Z7vn6

04/06/2026

From beetles and butterflies to flies and wasps, the 2026 ZEN 355 Insect Diversity students have completed their insect collections, showcasing the remarkable diversity of South Africa’s insect fauna and developing essential taxonomic and biodiversity assessment skills.

These collections highlight the diversity of insects and their lifecycles, and provide valuable hands-on experience for the next generation of entomologists.

02/06/2026

Our latest paper has just appeared in Trends in Ecology and Evolution. Working with Professor Andreas Nord at Lund University in Sweden, HBRP team members Marc Freeman and Andrew McKechnie synthesized current knowledge on physiological limits to avian heat tolerance and identified emerging research questions. The paper is featured on the cover of June 2026 issue of TREE, with this stunning secretarybird photo by Marc.

The article can be found here: https://www.cell.com/trends/ecology-evolution/fulltext/S0169-5347(26)00053-4

02/06/2026

New research published in Oecologia by Adrian Shrader and collaborators from France, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Namibia, South Africa, and the USA investigated how wind affects the movements of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, and elephants across multiple African protected areas.

Using GPS tracking data, the team found little evidence that herbivores reduce long-distance movements under windy conditions. While animals showed a slight tendency to move upwind—potentially to improve access to environmental information—the overall effects of wind on movement decisions were small and inconsistent across species and locations.

The findings suggest that wind may play a more limited role in shaping large-scale herbivore movements than previously thought, highlighting the importance of local environmental conditions and species-specific behaviours.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00442-025-05860-8

31/05/2026

New open-access research by Kevin Malod and Chris Weldon, published in the Journal of Applied Entomology, highlights critical knowledge gaps in the biology of the African citrus triozid, Trioza erytreae — an important vector of citrus greening disease (HLB).

Their systematic review found that most research has focused on distribution, monitoring and control, while key areas such as thermal biology, chemical ecology and host plant interactions remain poorly studied. Improving our understanding of this pest is essential for protecting citrus production in Africa and beyond.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jen.70121

29/05/2026

29/05/2026

26/05/2026

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘆 – 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿
The Cape Leopard Trust is seeking a dynamic and motivated Conservation Officer to help coordinate and execute our conservation and outreach activities across the Cape Provinces.
If you are suitably qualified and have a passion for predator conservation and human-wildlife coexistence, we’d like to hear from you. All details can be found in the vacancy notice at capeleopard.org.za/careers/conservation-officer-2026
𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 – 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘶𝘮 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥.
The closing date for applications is 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟮 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗮𝘁 𝟱𝗽𝗺 𝗦𝗔𝗦𝗧