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Neil D’Cruze

I am interested in a range of conservation and animal welfare issues. Through my research, I seek to obtain the data needed to inform practical solutions that reduce the suffering of wild animals and protect wild populations.

Since 2004, I have led biodiversity surveys throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and Central America that have generated baseline ecological data for a range of different taxa in previously unexplored areas.

These field surveys led to the discovery of six new species and also secured the first wild photographic evidence of the endangered Visayan spotted deer and Warty pig via remote camera trapping in the Philippines.

More recently, I have also been involved in addressing a number of complex global issues that threaten wild animal welfare and survival including human-wildlife conflict and wildlife trade.

My efforts have helped to improve the welfare and conservation status of a wide range of different species including Sloth bears in India, Civets in Indonesia, Brown bears in Turkey, and Green turtles in the Caribbean.

A professional photographer, images relating to my research have also featured in a number of high profile media publications such as the Guardian, Der Spiegal, Le Monde and National Geographic.

During my career I am fortunate to have lived, worked and travelled in over 40 countries across 6 continents and have published over 30 peer-reviewed scientific articles. I first joined WildCRU as visiting academic in 2014.

My main research areas of interests are: biodiversity surveys, human-wildlife conflict and wildlife trade.

Global trade in wild animals is soaring – South Africa’s laws aren’t doing enough to prevent harm

Dec 12, 2024 02:49 am UTC| Insights & Views Law

The quantity and complexity of commercial wildlife trade laws has grown globally over the past century. A new study examines wildlife trade laws in 11 countries and finds that a countrys Global Biodiversity Index does not...

Economy

Putin Weighs Economic Strains Amid Trump’s Push for Ukraine Peace

Russian President Vladimir Putin is increasingly concerned about the economic pressures of the ongoing Ukraine war, as former U.S. President Donald Trump, back in office, pushes for a resolution to the conflict. While...

Dollar Holds Steady Amid Tariff Speculations and Rate Decision Anticipation

The U.S. dollar remained steady against major currencies on Thursday, continuing its muted performance over the past two days as markets awaited clarity on tariff policies from U.S. President Donald Trump. Investors are...

China Boosts Stock Market with Major Investments and Policy Support

China has announced plans to inject hundreds of billions of yuan into its equity markets annually, aiming to bolster investor confidence. In the first half of the year, state-owned insurers will invest at least 100 billion...

Singapore Inflation Eases to Over Three-Year Low in December

Singapore's core inflation rose 1.8% in December, exceeding economists' forecast of 1.7%, but marking the lowest level since November 2021, when it was 1.6%. Headline inflation reached 1.6%, slightly above the expected...

Oil Prices Dip Amid Higher U.S. Output, Trump Policies, and Inventory Concerns

Oil prices edged lower in Asian trade Thursday, extending recent declines as traders braced for higher U.S. crude production under President Donald Trump. Brent futures slipped 0.3% to $78.80 per barrel, while WTI futures...

Politics

Elon Musk Criticizes President Trump’s $500B Stargate AI Project

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has voiced doubts over the financial feasibility of President Donald Trumps $500 billion Stargate project, unveiled Tuesday. The initiative aims to establish an advanced artificial intelligence (AI)...

Trump’s Commerce Nominee Howard Lutnick to Face Senate Hearing

The Senate Commerce Committee will hold a January 29 hearing on President Donald Trumps nominee, Howard Lutnick, to lead the Commerce Department. As head of Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC Group, Lutnick has built a prominent...

Macron and Scholz Address U.S. Trade Tensions in Paris Meeting

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met in Paris on Wednesday to emphasize European unity as the continent faces tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump, who has criticized...

South Korean President Faces Indictment for Martial Law Declaration

South Koreas anti-corruption agency has requested prosecutors indict President Yoon Suk Yeol for insurrection and abuse of power following his brief declaration of martial law on December 3. The Corruption Investigation...

DOJ Freezes Civil Rights Litigation from Biden Era

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has paused civil rights litigation initiated during the administration of former President Joe Biden, according to an internal memo reviewed by Reuters. The directive halts ongoing...

Science

Most of us trust scientists, shows a survey of nearly 72,000 people worldwide

Public trust in scientists is vital. It can help us with personal decisions on matters like health and provide evidence-based policymaking to assist governments with crises such as the COVID pandemic or climate change. In...

Astronauts on NASA’s Artemis mission to the Moon will need better boots − here’s why

The U.S.s return to the Moon with NASAs Artemis program will not be a mere stroll in the park. Instead it will be a perilous journey to a lunar location representing one of the most extreme environments in the solar...

Why Africa’s young scientists should help check the quality of climate change research

Scientific research is essential for addressing the climate crisis. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a United Nations body, assesses the science on climate change through its regular assessment...

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy provides in-house science advice for the president

Presidents need science advice. From climate change and pandemics to the governance of AI and the countrys nuclear arsenal, science sits at the center of a range of foreign and domestic policy challenges that reach the...

Double Moonshot: Japan’s ispace and Firefly Launch Lunar Missions

In a significant stride for lunar exploration, Japanese company ispace and U.S.-based Firefly Aerospace launched moon landers aboard a SpaceX rocket from Florida. This rare double mission highlights the growing competition...

Technology

Tesla to Raise Car Prices in Canada Starting February 1

Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is set to increase prices for all its vehicles in Canada beginning February 1, as per updates on its Canadian website. The price adjustments will affect the popular Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model...

Meta Joins $10 Billion Databricks Funding Round Amid AI Boom

Meta Joins $10 Billion Databricks Funding Round Amid AI Boom Databricks announced that Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) participated in its $10 billion Series J funding round, valuing the data analytics startup at $62 billion....

HTC Sells XR Unit to Google for $250 Million

Taiwans HTC announced it will sell part of its extended reality (XR) division to Google for $250 million. The deal, expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, will see some HTC employees join Google, enhancing the...

LinkedIn Faces Lawsuit Over Data Use for AI Training

Microsofts LinkedIn is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit, accused of sharing private messages from Premium users without permission to train generative AI models. The complaint, filed in federal court in San Jose,...

SoftBank and OpenAI Lead $19B Investments in Stargate AI Initiative

SoftBank Group Corp. (TYO:9984) and OpenAI have each pledged $19 billion to Stargate, a groundbreaking technology initiative focused on AI data centers, The Information reports. OpenAI and SoftBank will each hold a 40%...