Kara du Plessis’ Masters project is investigating whether impala are as resilient and adapted to anthropogenic disturbances as they seem. For her study, impala faecal samples will be collected from five different sites ranging from disturbed to undisturbed. Subsequently, their faecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations (which reflect the level of stress they experience at each site) will be measured. This will be used to determine whether increasingly human-disturbed sites are correlated with an increased level of stress being experienced by impala.

For his MSc project, Dylan Dobbins is investigating behavioural responses and faecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in orphaned white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) undergoing different stages of rehabilitation. This will allow for a crucial and detailed understanding of white rhinoceros calves during different rehabilitation phases, and help to develop our understanding of the link between behavioural stress and rhino welfare.

Mr Estefan Pieterse is a MSc student with the Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit. His research focuses on glucocorticoids in the baleen of southern right whales. In his project he investigates the correlation between androgens and glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations. This project will also examine if there is a visible pattern of the glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations during the seasonal movement of southern right whales.

Marli Burger’s MSc project aims to determine the effect of pollution on the stress levels of African clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) by comparing faecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations of otters in pristine habitats with those in polluted habitats. The use of African clawless otters as indictors of pollution in South African fresh water systems have not yet been explored and can be used to improve management and conservation strategies.

Ms Meghan van Zyl is a MSc student with the Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit. She completed her Honours degree in 2020, where she investigated androgen cycles in male southern right whales through hormone analysis of baleen plates. Her current research aims to provide an understanding of the foraging ecology of the same species on the South African west coast. She will achieve this aim by assessing the component of the population engaged in west coast foraging, evaluating targeted prey, and describing foraging behaviour.

For Kayla Osburn’s MSc project, she will be determining alteration in faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations post defaecation across species groups. This study aims to determine the period of time for which fGCMs remain viable for analysis post defaecation as a result of suspected bacterial activity using previous established EIA systems from selected hindgut fermenters, ruminants, and carnivores; and secondly to investigate the efficacy of different drying techniques for faecal material collected from species across these three groups as a field friendly alternative to freeze drying.

For Harvey Seete’s MSc project, he is investigating and validating the use of Cape porcupine quills, southern African hedgehog spines, as well as faecal material from both species as matrices for monitoring responses to stressors in the respective species. Assessing Cape porcupine and southern African hedgehog stress physiology is crucial for understanding and improving the respective species welfare, health, and reproduction in both captive and free ranging conditions. By assessing glucocorticoid GC) and faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations in porcupines and hedgehogs, this study will contribute to the development of more effective conservation and management strategies for both species. The study is expected to form the foundation for validating the use of keratinase to digest protein matrices of porcupine quills and hedgehog spines. In addition, the study will identify and validate the use of suitable enzyme immunoassays for quantifying steroids in keratinous material (quills and spines) as well as faeces.

Ms Antonia Immerz is pursuing a degree as Master in Zoology with the Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit. Antonia has worked in marine research as a computer scientist for 12 years. She is now investigating the migration and reproduction of Southern Hemisphere humpback whales using endocrine and stable isotope analysis of baleen and biopsy samples, as well as analysing data from historical whale catches, aerial photogrammetry and field observations. Her research forms part of the Whales & Climate Research Program.

Alannah Grobler is an MSc student with the Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit. For her dissertation, Alannah is conducting a risk assessment of anthropogenic activities for cetaceans in the South African EEZ.

Ms Elisbé Kruger is a MSc Genetics student at the Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit in co-affiliation with the Molecular Ecology and Evolution Programme (MEEP). Her research aims to investigate the presence of maternally directed and/or demography dependent site fidelity to summer foraging grounds in the South African population of southern right whales, using a combination of genetic and stable isotope data.

Juanita Wessels’ MSc project focuses on characterising the pattern of faecal androgen metabolite (fAM) and faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations in free-ranging male and female impala during the pre-rut, rut and post-rut phases. Ultimately, the study will establish and utilise non-invasive methodologies, in order to provide long-term data on the hormonal correlates of seasonal reproduction and their relationship with social status.

Honey badgers (Mellivora capensis) are an elusive and relatively understudied species in the wild. Therefore Megan Hutson’s MSc project aims to provide a framework to better understand Honey badger endocrine physiology. Her project aims to validate enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCM), faecal progesterone metabolites (fPM), and faecal androgen metabolites (fAM) as well as determine the stability of these hormone metabolites in Honey badger faeces post-defaecation. Megan also aims to determine if a ratio of fPM to fAM concentrations can be used to determine the sex of individuals from faecal samples. In addition, her project aims to compare fGCM concentrations of Honey badgers between different captive facilities in South Africa. Ultimately, this project will lay the groundwork for future research which can be expanded upon to include free-ranging Honey badgers moving forward.

Since completing her honours degree in 2020, Courtney Robertson has shifted her attention from the impacts of urbanisation on stress levels in owls, to researching the ecological role of spotted hyaena. Her research focuses specifically on nutrient recycling within hyaena latrines by analysing faecal, soil, and grass samples. This research aims to increase conservation efforts of this species by highlighting their importance within the ecosystem.