Species-level horizon scanning to identify priority emerging issues for saiga conservation

Author

Jessica Hass | MBiol Student

When I first started my Biology degree, I thought I’d end up in lab-based, cellular research. I’ve always loved animals and nature, but I didn’t realise that passion could actually become a career. After a few years of inspiring lectures and fieldwork, I have found myself completely hooked on conservation and am now determined to make a positive difference for wildlife and ecosystems.

I have a real soft spot for weird and underappreciated species, so I was immediately drawn to an MBiol project on the saiga antelope. Recently, I’ve spent a lot of time answering the question, “What’s a saiga?”, which I love, because it gives me an excuse to show people a picture of one. The project ties in well with my interest in the wildlife trade, and in finding ways to conserve species without compromising people’s livelihoods.