Combining cognition with conservation to help save a critically endangered species

Cognition, which encompasses the mental processes behind perception, learning, decision-making and memory, underlies many animal behaviours. Behaviour is key to animal conservation, and cognition can therefore play a critical part in devising effective conservation initiatives. Despite this, cognition is largely under-utilised in conservation practices, though there are recent calls for closer integration. Conservation is critical to the survival of many threatened species in protecting against increasing changes to environments and threats like habitat degradation.

This project aims to take important strides towards developing a new research approach integrating cognition and conservation research by focussing on a little-studied, critically endangered bird species, Bali myna (Leucopsar rothschildi). Bali myna is an appropriate species selection due to its suitability, availability, threatened status, threats in the wild like poaching, and active reintroduction efforts in Bali, as well as recent successful pilot cognitive research (Miller et al., Submitted & Pre-printed: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.11.12.468403v1). This work involves research with Bali myna in several UK Zoos, as well as with captive and released birds in Bali through collaboration with reintroduction programmes, utilizing cognitive, behavioural, animal training and field conservation-based approaches.

The project will map the ‘cognitive tool-kit’ of Bali myna incorporating abilities likely to assist species survival in a changing world, like behavioural flexibility and social learning, and relate these cognitive aspects to fitness measures, like breeding success and body condition. Critically, these findings will then be incorporated in active conservation strategies, including informing release decisions, targeted pre-release training, and testing real outcomes with post-release monitoring to assess survival implications.

Project outcomes will be of a quality, significance and originality to make a real difference to the conservation of threatened bird species with far-reaching consequences for the survival of these wonderful birds. Furthermore, it presents an ideal opportunity to contribute to public perception and community education of species conservation. It offers the prospect of making a measurable contribution to animal conservation.

Interested candidates should contact Dr Rachael Miller (Harrison) rachael.harrison@aru.ac.uk to discuss project ideas. Please note that this is currently a self-funded project.

Where you’ll study:

Cambridge

Next steps:

If you wish to be considered for this project, you will need to apply for our Biology PhD. In the section of the application form entitled 'Outline research proposal', please quote the above title and include a research proposal.