Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria

23/10/2026

An observation about enlarged teats in non-breeding males sent South African zoologist Nigel Bennett on a 17-year trail that helped uncover a queen-enriched chemical signal that suppresses reproduction and stabilises colonies.

23/10/2026

22/10/2026

Well deserved recognition for Prof. Ara Monadjem and Prof. Abdullahi Yusuf.

16/10/2026

In a new study published in Animal Cognition, Claire Peinke and Adrian Shrader revealed that African elephants can visually discriminate differences in food quantity, such as tree canopy size and leaf density, only at close distances up to 5 meters.

This indicates that while elephants may combine visual and olfactory cues when making short-range foraging decisions within a patch, they rely primarily on scent to navigate food choices over larger spatial scales.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-026-02111-y

13/10/2026

The South African Otter Spotters would be otter-ly grateful if you could share your sightings! 🦦 🌍

Help to collect data on otter distribution in South Africa for a research project at the Mammal Research Institute of the University of Pretoria. Please share your (old and new) sightings the web-app (https://otter-spotters.web.app/). And please share the poster far and wide so more can be learnt about these adorable little critters!

You can contact the South African Otter Spotters directly with any information or media files that are too large to upload via the web-app using the official email address ([email protected]) or WhatsApp number (+27 71 933 2142).

11/10/2026

Congratulations to Els Vermeulen for being appointed as Vice-Chair Elect and her future leadership of the Scientific Commission of the International Whaling Committee. 🐋 🌍 🐋

This is fantastic news and recognition of her important contribution to whale research in South Africa and beyond!

🌍🐋 A significant leadership appointment for the MRI Whale Unit

We are delighted to share that Prof Els Vermeulen has been nominated as Vice-Chair Elect of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission (IWC).
This marks the beginning of a six-year leadership pathway within the IWC Scientific Committee, including two years as Vice-Chair Elect, followed by two years as Vice-Chair and, ultimately, two years as Chair.

The IWC Scientific Committee brings together expert scientists from around the world to provide the scientific advice that underpins international whale conservation and management. This leadership role therefore represents an important opportunity to contribute to the direction, coordination and impact of whale science at a global level.

We are incredibly proud to see Els take on this responsibility and to have the MRI Whale Unit represented at the highest levels of international cetacean science 🐋🌍

University of Pretoria Mammal Research Institute Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria

09/10/2026

In a new study published in Biological Conservation, Rachel Stein and Adrian Shrader revealed that black rhino population growth in southern African reserves is shaped primarily by intraspecific population density rather than inter-specific competition from other herbivores.

These findings support density-focused management strategies for small populations while highlighting the critical need for regional meta-population management to safeguard long-term genetic diversity.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2026.112114

08/10/2026

At the Oppenheimer Research Conference, taking place in Midrand from 7 to 9 October, Extraordinary Professor in our Department, Prof. Stuart Pimm, presented that biodiversity is under serious pressure, but exaggerated claims of impending catastrophe can undermine the conservation cause.

Opp-Gen Research and Conservation

07/10/2026

What happens to biological samples after fieldwork is done?In Epi...

07/10/2026