Anna Bowland
MRes student
After gaining my Bachelor’s degree in Conservation Biology and Ecology at the University of Exeter, I am currently a Master’s by Research student supervised by Dr Kimberley Hockings, Dr Xavier Harrison (University of Exeter) and Dr Matthew Carrigan (Santa Fe College). I am exploring the use of ethanol by wildlife; looking at the ethanol content and consumption of naturally fermenting fruits by Western Chimpanzees, in Cantanhez National Park (CNP), Guinea- Bissau. Ethanol is widely consumed by humans and yet little is known about the evolutionary origins of its consumption. Understanding the prevalence of ethanol in nature and its use, especially by one of our closest living relatives with whom we share a common ancestor, may shed light on our own relationship with ethanol.
In 2022, I went to Cantanhez to collect my research data. Here, with the help of local guides, I employed non-invasive methods of camera trapping, trail walking, phenology and fruit sampling to study the presence of ethanol in the natural environment and its consumption by a community of unhabituated western chimpanzees. It was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed.
About me
“Prior to my degree I interned in Costa Rica, conducting bird monitoring and ecological surveys in Cloudbridge Nature reserve, as well as camera trapping and monitoring of the unique feeding behaviour of Jaguars on sea turtles in Tortuguero National Park. I have also volunteered with primate conservation organisations, The Drill project (Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea) and FCPP in Panama. In Panama, I was involved in the monitoring of howler monkeys in Soberania National Park.Through these experiences, and my degree, I have developed a passionate interest in tropical ecology and conservation, human-wildlife interactions and especially, primatology.”
Publications
2024
- Houldcroft, A., Lindgren, F., Sanhá, A., Jaló, M., Regalla de Barros, A., Hockings, K.J. and Bersacola, E., 2024, Joint spatial modeling of cluster size and density for a heavily hunted primate persisting in a heterogeneous landscape. Ecography e07399.
- Houldcroft, A., Lindgren, F., Sanhá, A., Jaló, M., Regalla de Barros, A., Hockings, K., and Bersacola, E., 2024. Data from: Joint spatial modeling of cluster size and density for a heavily hunted primate persisting in a heterogeneous landscape [Dataset]. Dryad.
2023
- Bersacola, E. and Hockings K.J., 2023. Action plan for the conservation of medium- and large-mammals in Cantanhez National Park, Guinea-Bissau (2024-2034). Instituto da Biodiversidade e das Áreas Protegidas. Bissau: Guinea-Bissau.
- Bersacola, E., Hockings, K.J., Harrison, M.E., Imron, M.A., Bessa, J., Ramon, M., Regalla de Barros, A., Jaló, M., Sanhá, A., Ruiz-Miranda, C.R. and Ferraz, L.P., 2023. Primate conservation in shared landscapes. In Primates in Anthropogenic Landscapes: Exploring Primate Behavioural Flexibility Across Human Contexts (pp. 161-181). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
- Ramon, M., McLennan, M.R., Ruiz-Miranda, C.R., Kalema-Zikusoka, G., Bessa, J., Bersacola, E., Sanhá, A., Jaló, M., Barros, A.R.D., Leendertz, F.H. and Hockings, K.J., 2023. Infectious diseases in primates in human-impacted landscapes. In Primates in anthropogenic landscapes: Exploring primate behavioural flexibility across human contexts (pp. 139-160). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
