Giving to the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU)

The Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU – part of the Zoology Department) was founded by David Macdonald in 1986, and is now recognised as a leading university-based institute for wildlife conservation research. Our approach is to combine field research with conservation actions rooted in sound science, and our research is used worldwide to advise environmental management and policy. Currently we have around 60 projects – with about half overseas and half in the UK; these extend from the Scottish Highlands to southern Africa, Patagonia and the forests of Borneo. For further information please go the WildCRU website.

If you would prefer to give by post, you can download the WildCRU donation and gift aid form (172 kb) [pdf]

Now in its 25th year, WildCRU’s Badger Project exemplifies the kind of long-term research and data collection needed to address today's conservation dilemmas. It is vital we keep this study going to see how changes in population and behaviour unfold as climate changes. The continuity makes the study invaluable, and it is only now reaching a peak of productivity as patterns begin to emerge from successive generations of badgers. This appeal is to secure funding over the next 5 years to cover the annual costs of this work.

The diploma aims to equip wildlife conservationists from the developing world with the practical skills and theoretical understanding that will enable them to contribute effectively to conservation research and action in their home countries. The students – known as ‘the WildCRU Panthers’ – benefit from the high-calibre teaching and research at Oxford University. We invite you to ‘adopt a WildCRU Panther’. Your donation will help to open the doors of Oxford to budding conservationists from around the world, transforming their ability to protect wildlife and wildlands for future generations.

WildCRU recently launched this project to study the social dynamics of a large confined lion population in the Bubye Valley Conservancy in southern Zimbabwe. Paul Trethowan is undertaking the work as part of his DPhil research. While Paul's Rhodes Scholarship covers his fees and stipend, this appeal is for funding to support field expenses for the project over the next 3 years.

Tanzania’s Ruaha landscape is one of the most important places in the world for lion and other threatened carnivores, but has received very little research or conservation attention. Led by Dr Amy Dickman, WildCRU’s Ruaha Carnivore Project is addressing this need. The project is researching large carnivore ecology, and working closely with local communities to develop strategies for long-term human-carnivore coexistence. While a Kaplan Senior Research Fellowship covers Amy’s salary, this appeal is for field expenses. Your support will enable the project to continue and expand its conservation activities, providing important benefits for Ruaha’s people and predators.

WildCRU's core staff underpin all activities, and are vital to our quality assurance and continuing professionalism.

Gifts will go towards a fund for WildCRU's field research programme. Although funds are most useful when unrestricted, it is possible for donors to specify the project they wish to support - please contact us.

This appeal focuses on three primary areas: a manager for IT services; a dedicated fund for computers and related equipment; and telecommunications maintenance and hardware.

Off-road vehicles, in particular, are essential for WildCRU's research. Fieldwork in the countryside and other near-inaccessible terrains requires sturdy vehicles capable of conveying researchers and their equipment to the site.

How to make a gift

You can make a regular gift by credit card or by direct debit. A single gift can also be made by credit card. Please choose your payment method below, and you will be taken to our approved payment provider for secure processing of your gift.

Contact

Dr Dawn Burnham

Unit Manager – WildCRU

Tel
+44 (0)1865 611100