Conservation – TINA CHIARELLI, PHD, FRGS

Biomarkers of Reproductive Health in Wildlife and Techniques for their Assessment

August 9th, 2024tinalc0 Comments

One of the coolest things I get to do is serve as a Board Member and Treasurer for the International Society of Wildlife Endocrinology (ISWE). I’ve been a member since the group’s inception in 2010. At the time, I was a Doctoral Fellow at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute working under the mentorship of elephant expert and reproductive physiologist, Dr. Janine Brown. I was lucky enough to attend the brainstorming meeting that brought together the world’s best wildlife endocrinologists. It should be noted, I was not one of them. Nevertheless, from that incredible gathering, ISWE was born. After more than …

You Never Forget Your First ECAD

July 3rd, 2024tinalc0 Comments

It all began in early 2022 when a good friend and fellow WKPP exploration cave diver asked me if I was a member of the world-renowned Explorers Club. He noticed I frequently comment on the groups social media posts and was a regular attendee of their monthly talks livestreamed to the masses via YouTube. My response “I wish.” Matt was shocked. He reminded me of my diving credentials, research expeditions around the world, and publications, stating, “… We need to fix that.” Within the next few weeks, I found myself filling out the application. I had hoped for admittance at …

Conservation Challenges in the Wake of a Global Pandemic

January 28th, 2023tinalc0 Comments

This past year, I got the opportunity to interview some incredible conservation organizations regarding their work before, during, and after the Covid-19 pandemic. During such trying times, they continued to support wildlife and communities in range countries despite new challenges. You can read the article in its entirety at JEMA 2022v33i3.

Botswana’s Mass Elephant Die-Off

January 28th, 2023tinalc0 Comments

“In March 2020, at the beginning of a global pandemic, elephant carcasses were found in the Ngamiland district of northern Botswana. Within three months from the initial report, helicopter-based surveys counted a total of 350 dead elephants. Carcasses of males and females were found by themselves with 70% near water. In some cases, it was as though the animal was walking and just collapsed. Locals would state that some elephants were observed walking in circles with extremely low body condition before death. Due to Covid-related travel restrictions, carcasses were not thoroughly examined, and tissue samples not collected; thus, a causative …

Featured: Members on the Move for Conservation

January 28th, 2023tinalc0 Comments

As promised, I am starting to update my website. To say that, since 2020, life has thrown it’s very best and worst at us would be a huge understatement. One of my grounding points has always been my work with elephants. Thankfully, they continue to be a guiding light. I was delighted to be interviewed by Gray Matters for their Members on the Move for Conservation” segment. “An interview with EMA Conservation Committee member Tina Dow, PhD. – This year, the Conservation Committee is highlighting EMA members that are making a difference for elephant conservation. For this issue of Gray …

Prolactin and Ovarian Cycle Problems in Managed African Female Elephants

August 3rd, 2021tinalc0 Comments

The last paper in our series investigating prolactin regulation and the efficacy of dopamine agonists and antagonists to mitigate prolactin-associated ovarian cycle problems was published in the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine in March 2020. It was bittersweet as the research was a culmination of almost 10 years of research and sadly, we lost Dr. Dee Cross during the process. I think it was only fitting that the work was highlighted on the cover by a photo I took of one of my most favorite elephants. A copy of the paper Understanding Prolactin Regulation and Determining the Efficacy of …

A Hopeful New Year for the Florida Manatee

January 21st, 2019tinalc0 Comments

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of sharing space with a manatee while cave diving. No, it wasn’t in the cave. The manatee was enjoying the constant 72 F spring water to warm up during the chilly day. I, on the other hand, was using the run to get to and from the Devil’s Cave system at Ginnie Springs. This isn’t the first time I have had the opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures in their underwater world. Earlier in 2018, I snorkeled with manatees in the Crystal River. Yet another perk of living in Florida. Regardless, their …

Wildlife of the Bunya Mountains

February 23rd, 2017tinalc0 Comments

Nestled in the most westerly region of southern Queensland is the Bunya Mountains. Home to 600 year-old pines and close to 400 documented species of marsupials, amphibians and reptiles, including birds, Bunya is an incredible place treasured by generations of Australians. A few years ago, we were fortunate enough to visit the Bunya Mountains National Park. Traveling from Toowoomba up the A2 to the Bunya Mountains Road, the trip through the Great Dividing Range was simply beautiful. We were only just within the park boundaries when we met our first local, a gorgeous carpet python. Stretched across the bitumen …

A Year in Review: Let 2017 be the Year of Action

December 14th, 2016tinalc0 Comments

As 2016 draws to a close, it’s important to reflect upon the last 365 days. Just like the preceding years, 2016 had triumphs and failures in wildlife and habitat protection. Although we still have a lot of battles before us in the field of conservation, I feel that 2016 was the year of awareness. Global issues were brought to the forefront to be openly discussed. I have to hope that is a great start for things to come in 2017. With each passing year, I am often asked how one person can make a difference. I completely understand how easy …

Sea Turtle Nesting: A Race Against Time

July 29th, 2016tinalc0 Comments

Florida’s Atlantic Coast is currently a hotbed of activity for Sea turtle propagation. From early May to September, several species of Sea turtle seek out the coastline as a prime nesting location. During each season thousands of Loggerhead, Green Sea, and Leatherback turtles make their way to land by the light of the moon to lay their eggs in the warm sand. With any luck, in 50-60 days, the next generation will be on their journey into the deep blue. Ancient sea turtles first appeared in the coastal waters of Pangea over 240 million years ago during the …