Johanna is interviewed on her work for Cabin Radio. Check it out – you can read her story or listen to the podcast.
Author Archives: klarsen
Mid-winter Celebration for the lab comes early in 2024
Our annual lab Mid-winter Celebration came a bit early this year to accomodate people fitting in travels for their thesis work in the early part of December. It mattered not as a good time was had by all. Although the pre-dinner moment for reflection included the Christmas Toad poem, the highlight of the evening was Kara and Robin absolutely SHATTERING the historic record time for assembling the giant Grey Squirrel floor puzzle. Kara and Robin knocked nearly 20 seconds off the previous record (Dana and Michelle) that dated back to 2018. Astounding. Happy holidays everyone!
Shannon & Mae involved in fisher reintroduction.
Our dynamic-duo fisher team (Mae and Shannon) have been actively involved in helping reintroduce a set of fisher kits orphaned through the death of the mother (fortunately,Shannon’s radio-telemetry work on the mother had previously revealed where the kits were stationed). The BC Wildlife Park has played an important role in this as well, housing the kits and helping prepare them for a life back in the forest. See this article for more information.
https://www.100milefreepress.net/news/orphaned-fisher-kits-return-to-wild-in-south-cariboo-7617634
Rulon Clark visits
From Oct 2-5, Dr. Rulon Clark, San Diego State University rattlesnake researcher, travelled to TRU to give a seminar, and spend quite a bit of time talking to members of our lab about his work, students’ work, and mutual interests. The day after his presentation a number of us took him in the field for a brisk cool den visit, and despite the weather not being terribly cooperative, we did manage to see a total of 10 rattlesnake ‘stragglers’, probably making a last push to get to the safe confines of their dens.
Canadian Herpetological Society – Sidney 2024
In September, current and former members of our lab met in Sidney, BC (on Vancouver Island – NOT THAT Sydney). It was a great meeting so kudos to the organizers. Karl delivered the Plenary Talk, and Chloe, Kara, Lindsay and Caroline presented as well. Recent lab grad Jade joined up with us too. Pictured below from L –> R, Kara, Chloe, Karl, Jade and Lindsay.
Lab members attend World Congress of Herpetology
Lindsay, Calen and Karl together attended and presented at the 10th international World Congress of Herpetology in Kuching, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. Many amazing new critters were seen through field trips, although the ultimate goal – the King Cobra – eluded us.
Larisa receives prestigious scholarship
For her thesis work on bighorn sheep, Larisa has been selected for a prestigious Together For Wildlife scholarship, administered by the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund. Click HERE for the full story on her work.
Jean Jay from Taiwan visits
Dr. Jean-Jay Mao, Assistant Professor from National Ilan University in Taiwan, visited our White Lake study site this week. Jean-Jay studies snakes in Taiwan, so he took the opportunity to go out and see our BC species. Summer techs Jenna and Robin were there to show him around in the 40 C heat, but thanks to our telemetered animals, Jean-Jay was able to get some sightings in.
June 2024 starts off with a bang
Two big events in our lab unfolded during the first week of June. First off, Chloe received the TRU Master’s Medal in Environmental Science as top graduate in the program, with her thesis on rattlesnake movements and juvenile ecology. Two days later, Jade successfully defended her thesis on the road ecology of the community of snakes at our White Lake study site. Congrats to both!
String of successful defenses
