Doug is part of the team working on our development sites.

He did his Masters thesis looking at Tāiko/Westland petrel foraging behaviour so has a background in mapping and statistics.  Some of his work with the project has involved tracking feral cats with GPS collars. We’re hoping to get a real insight into how feral cats move around the project area and whether natural barriers can be used to stop their reinvasion.

Doug grew up in Scotland and moved to Wellington with his family for a year when he was 12. It’s been over ten years now and they still call New Zealand home. He studied at Victoria University, completing a BSc majoring in ecology and biodiversity and marine ecology, and then did a Masters in ecology and biodiversity.

Before starting work with Te Manahuna Aoarki Project Doug had never been to the Mackenzie Basin so he is loving having a new world to explore. He’s looking forward to continuing his learning on the job and says he’s really into the research side of the role, and learning all about pest behaviour as part of our work to eliminate pests.