As a PhD student at University College London and the Zoological Society of London ( ZSL),Carolyn Thompsonis presently a London - establish research worker and educator – but her route into primatology took a geographically diverse ascendant . First charm to the lodge of animals by a miscommunication between herself and a macaque , Thompson now specializes in gibbons include theHainan gibbon , therarest primate in the world . Here , she tells us that while working with primates might not involve all that much interaction with creature ( at least , not on role ) , you do sometimes detect yourself running after hosepipe - exert orangutans .
What do you do ?
I am a primatologist ( a scientist who studies non - human primate including monkeys , apes , and lemur / lorises ) . I am currently a PhD student atUniversity College Londonand ZSL’sInstitute of Zoologystudying small ape ( gibbon ) downslope in Asia . As a part - time PhD student , I also teach alongside my degree as a gamy Education lector .
What did it take to get here ?
A lot of perseverance on a farsighted and Byzantine journey !
I uprise up in Scotland , Indonesia , and Norway surrounded by outside adventures and wildlife . During a trip to the Sacred Monkey Forest in Bali , Indonesia , I had my first ever primate encounter . I regard long - tailed macaque “ smiling ” at me ( four - yr - old me did not know this was a terror showing ) and I fell in love with our hirsute cousin-german .
My “ ah - ha ! ” moment to study primates came a few years later however , when my grandpa , who was also living in Asia , rescued a macaque from a market . I hear about primate conservation issues , including hunting , pet trade , and home ground loss . ( It is important to mention that although my grandad had good intent , rescuing a wild animate being from a food market is discouraged as it only fuels the trade ) .
At shoal I follow up on bailiwick that seemed relevant to a career in primatology : geography , to realise natural process and anthropogenetic factors affect our environment ; psychology , to empathise human attitudes , motivations , and actions ; and biology , to see about animals and associated behaviors .
A schooling ’s career consultant encouraged me to steer away from the sciences however , put forward that these were not my force . This was a pivotal point in my career as I meandered away from my goal . As a lecturer and adviser now myself , I actively encourage my students to pursue any subject that they are passionate about because determination and enthusiasm are often worth more than high grades .
Nevertheless , I come after this advice and went to the University of Manchester to contemplate a BSc in Geography . I speedily realise I was consider towards the wrong academic degree . They say everything happens for a reason . Had I not travel to Manchester , I would not have made the life - changing decision to do another BSc in Life Sciences with the Open University . I chose my degree and university more carefully this metre . I wanted a university degree that would leave me to earn part - sentence and simultaneously locomote to gain hands - on experience in primatology .
Alongside my degree , I exploit for various institutions , bema , and non - governmental organization ( NGOs ) in Namibia , Cameroon , United Kingdom , Malaysia , and South Africa . The experience not only confirm my chosen career aspiration , but also highlighted both good and defective conservation pattern .
I afterwards completed an MRes in Primate Biology , Behaviour and Conservation with the University of Roehampton . This was my dream level ( which was reflect in a “ Distinction ” grade ) and taught me research attainment let in data appeal method acting and statistical analyses . For my thesis , I study theimpact of touristry on Ring - tail lemur behaviorin Madagascar and became very interested in human - primate interactions .
attract to organizations that adopt a holistic overture to preservation , I worked for theBorneo Nature Foundationin the peat swampland forests of Indonesia for more than two days after my masters . I managed a small squad and the running game of three long - term primate behaviour projects .
It was here that I was inaugurate to the Edward Gibbon , the smallest and rarest of the apes . realise some of the most threatened gibbon specie survive in China , I decided to plan and pursue a PhD analyze human - gibbon interaction .
I lend oneself to doctorate program and preservation grant to fund my specify inquiry . Alas , due to the highly competitive nature of preservation funding , I was unsuccessful . Frustratingly , one mental hospital said I was “ too focused ” for the doctorate program who prefer to take on scholarly person who are still deciding their research guidance . Another funding body say they could not support work where the animal universe was below 200 individuals . The three Hylobates lar species I wish to study had planetary population size below 150 !
Instead of pay up , I plunge acrowdfunding campaignto support my doctorate research . The campaign had astronomical success making approximately £ 20,000 ! Thanks to my other incredible funders , Arcus Foundation , I started my Ph.D. in October 2017 . To patronise myself further , I on a regular basis lecture and antecedently work on as a Museum Engager in UCL ’s Grant Museum of Zoology .
Tell us more about the gibbons and your PhD research .
My PhD investigates minuscule ape ( gibbon ) declivity across China , Myanmar , and Vietnam . Most hoi polloi have try of the peachy apes ( orangutans , gorillas , chimp , bonobos ) but few have heard of the gibbons .
Hylobates lar are the little of the imitator known for their territorial songs , co-ordinated duo , athletic locomotion , and small family group sizes . There are 20 Hylobates lar coinage spread across Asia . Sadly , 19 are on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss , best-loved swap , hunting , and used in traditional music .
I focus on three species : the world ’s rarest primate with only 30 individuals stay , the Hainan gibbon ; the of late give away Skywalker Hoolock gibbon ; and a transboundary species , the Cao vit gibbon .
I utilise an ethnoprimatological approaching to my research ( combining biological and social methods ) , which basically signify I not only record gibbon behavior , but also question local communities surrounding Edward Gibbon home ground to empathize the main driver of decline . My research hopes to inform local conservation direction for sustainable coexistence .
What ’s the most common misconception about your contrast of employment ?
That I nest primates !
Most primatologists meditate species in the state of nature where a 7 - 10 meter distance is adhere to . I can spend days in the field without even a coup d’oeil of a primate butt ! For my Ph.D. , I also spend most of my time working with local community surrounding Edward Gibbon home ground and therefore have niggling interaction with the primates themselves .
When I first started my career journey , trope of researchers / carers handling primates was vulgar practice – I am sure everyone has seen iconic images of Jane Goodall hug a Pan troglodytes . However , 60 percent of primates are now face up extinction and one of the main threats is hunt for the favored barter . Images of human cuddling hierarch can be detrimental if the setting is unknown .
This class , the International Union for Conservation of Nature ’s Primate Specialist Group Section for Human Primate Interactions publishedBest Practice Guidelines for Responsible Images of Non - Human Primates .
Funniest instant on the job ?
In 2006 , I wreak for a high priest sanctuary that rescued orphaned orang who were victims of the palm oil diligence . The orangutans go through dissimilar stages of rehabilitation until they can be issue back into the state of nature .
My team and I were taking a break one solar day and playing cards with our backs turn to the sanctuary door . on the spur of the moment , we get wind a loud “ BANG ! ” and all spun around to see three puerile orangutang standing in a transmission line , each hold part of a hosiery and threading it out through the front door .
recognize they were bust , the orangutans hastily plunk up the hose and then legged it out through the room access and into the wood . We spent the intact good afternoon trying to get the hose back !
Any memorable missteps or hairy moment ?
Where do I begin ! I have had my fair share of memorable mishaps , and as a result , there is not one that springs to bear in mind , but severalhairy moments :
I am currently in the process of writing a book about all these fieldwork run out . One solar day it might be published .
What do you never pull up stakes the house without ?
Due to the above , I am a very superstitious mortal and never leave alone the theater without my Nepali appeal - engraved watchstrap .
In my back pack , I always have my trusty SILVA compass , penknife from my Swiss homelands , and a snack . I am also a huge fan of a carabiner .
What ’s one piece of advice you ’d give to someone wanting to embark on the same career ?
Do not underestimate yourself – determination and cacoethes are so valuable in this arena . web widely and strain out to organizations or academics who inspire you . Ask them for advice – everyone started somewhere !
you’re able to follow Thompson ’s conservation research into rare primates onTwitterandInstagram .
