Staff Profiles

BSc Biology (UB)

MSc Zoology (Pretoria)

“The Nature Detective” is an ecologist by training with expertise in behavioural ecology, biodiversity conservation, and wildlife management. My approach underpins practical solutions to biodiversity conservation problems through primary scientific research of good calibre. The approach is fundamental, interdisciplinary and collaborative, spurred by a scientific impetus to invoke:

1. Research to describe, understand, and address the problem;
2. Community and public awareness to explain it,
3. Community and public involvement to ensure participation and acceptance, and
4. Informed application of sustainable biodiversity conservation solutions.

Specific areas of engagement include;

1. Inventory and monitoring of biodiversity abundance, distribution, interactions, demographics, and relative function in ecosystems
2. Impact of fencing, hunting, culling, cropping, poaching, and translocations, on wildlife genetics, abundance, distribution, behaviour, demographics, and ecosystem processes
3. Ecological consequences of artificial water provision
4. Human-wildlife interactions and conflict mitigation
5. Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA)and Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA)
6. Environmental  Management Plans and Tourism Development Plans
7. Scientific advice for  conservation and environmental policy formulation and review

Principles of Biology

Principles of Ecology

Behavioural Ecology

Wildlife  Biology

Research Methods in Biology

1. Inventory and monitoring of biodiversity abundance, distribution, interactions, demographics, and relative function in ecosystems
2. Impact of fencing, hunting, culling, cropping, poaching, and translocations, on biodiversity abundance, distribution, behaviour, demographics, and ecosystem processes
3. Ecological consequences of artificial water provision
4. Human-wildlife interactions and conflict mitigation

Ecology and Conservation

1. Kaunda, S.K.K. 2016. Review of the natural resource programme in Botswana. African Conservancies Volume 1:102-118
2. Kaunda, S.K.K., Matlhaku, K., Mapolelo, M. & Mokgosi J.N. (2011). Shoot production by Acacia tortilis under different browsing regimes in south east Botswana. African Journal of Plant Science and Biotechnology 5(1):63-68
3. Kaunda, S.K.K. 2009. The potential impacts of hunting on large mammals. In: “Hunting and the future of wildlife conservation in Botswana”. Malbouef, A. & Johnson, S. (Eds).  Kalahari Conservation Society and World Wide Foundation, Norway. Pp23-34
4. Kaunda, S.K.K., Mapolelo, M., Matlhaku, K., & Mokgosi, J.N. 2004. Habitat utilisation and sexual segregation in impala Aepyceros melampus at Gaborone Game Reserve, Botswana. Botswana Notes and Records 34:79-90