HELLO THERE! I'M ROBIN COOK

Wire-netting marula trees to stop bark-stripping

Testing whether beehives can protect marula trees from elephants

Measuring the size of an elephant's tusk

Elephant observations in the Greater Kruger National Park

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

I am a wildlife researcher (MSc Ecology) with a particular interest in human-elephant conflict and the usage of mitigation methods. My research has covered elephant movement patterns around villages in Mozambique, the usage of beehives to protect marula trees in the Greater Kruger National Park, as well as the usage of beehives to prevent Asian elephants from crop raiding in Sri Lanka.

MY PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Up Close & Personal

WORK EXPERIENCE

RESEARCHER, ELEPHANTS ALIVE

November 2017 - Present

My research focuses on the impact that elephants have on large tree species in the Greater Kruger National Park, as well as methods to reduce human-elephant conflict. This research expands across the Associated Private Nature Natures of the Greater Kruger system.

PROJECT COORDINATOR, ELEPHANTS & BEES PROJECT (SRI LANKA)

July 2017 - October 2017

I was in charge of running the Elephants & Bees Project's Sri Lankan study site. Responsibilities included beehive-fence maintenance, conducting interviews with farmers, collecting camera trap photos on crop-raiding Asian elephants, and educating visiting volunteers about the project.

ELEPHANTS ALIVE, RESEARCH ASSISTANT

January 2014 - September 2016

My research activities at Elephants Alive included - running the elephants-bees-trees project, tracking and recording information on collared elephants, conducting elephant impact assessments on trees containing vulture nests, as well as assisting with elephant collaring operations.

PRESIDENT, RHINO SA

June 2012 - January 2014

With Rhino SA, I was responsible for giving talks on rhino poaching in South Africa to school kids ranging from 6 - 18 years of age. The primary aim of the project was to give the youth a voice in the fight against rhino poaching.