ABOUT US
Our vision is to create a future where wildlife and ecosystems thrive in harmony with human communities. By providing affordable fieldwork training programmes and fostering partnerships with landowners, we seek to instil a sense of stewardship for the environment and inspire lasting conservation efforts. Through training, research, and community engagement, we aspire to build a more sustainable and biodiverse world for future generations.
WildComm is committed to offering fieldwork training opportunities and conservation initiatives that empower individuals to actively contribute to wildlife conservation. Through affordable programmes and hands-on training, we aim to cultivate a new generation of conservation leaders whilst contributing to meaningful research projects. We work collaboratively with landowners to promote sustainable land management practices that prioritize biodiversity conservation.
We are doing this by establishing research stations and training opportunities on privately owned land, where wildlife research and conservation can have a big impact.
Dr Leah Findlay
Chanelle Becker
Dr Leah Findlay is our Director and Research Manager. With a PhD in human-wildlife conflict from Durham University, UK, Leah has spent over a decade on conservation efforts in Limpopo, South Africa, focusing on mitigating tensions between human communities and wildlife. In 2022, she founded WildComm, driven by a desire to apply academic knowledge to practical conservation solutions. As Research Manager, she spearheads the development and implementation of fieldwork programmes, ensuring that each project contributes meaningfully to conservation efforts. Her academic background equips her to mentor and supervise undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students, guiding them through their academic journeys and fostering a new generation of conservationists. Recognising the importance of shared knowledge, Leah actively facilitates information exchange, delivering data collected at WildComm’s research stations to other organisations who can use the data in the most impactful way.
Leah’s dedication to bridging academia with on-the-ground conservation work is evident in her commitment to establishing successful research stations and facilitating knowledge exchange.
Through her leadership, WildComm continues to make strides in protecting biodiversity and promoting harmony between humans and the natural world.
Chanelle Becker, born and raised in South Africa, is not only our in-country Logistical Coordinator but also serves as one of the company directors and operations manager. Raised amidst the captivating landscapes of South Africa, Chanelle developed an unwavering passion for wildlife and conservation from a young age. Her formative years spent exploring the wonders of Kruger National Park solidified her dedication to preserving the natural world. Her academic journey led her to specialize in Game Ranch and wildlife Management and achieve FGASA Level 1 certification in Kruger National Park. Chanelle’s career trajectory began with managing lodges, where she was introduced to volunteer and student research programs, igniting her interest in ecological research and conservation initiatives. As a research assistant at Mogalakwena Research Centre, Chanelle honed her skills and gained invaluable field experience. Subsequently, she joined Wildlife Ecological Investments, conducting research in the Greater Kruger area, collaborating with renowned organizations like Panthera, Wildlife Ecological Investments and participating in camera trap monitoring projects in various reserves. Chanelle’s expertise extends to game translocation, habitat management, and conservation efforts focused on protecting endangered species like rhinos. Today, she is realizing her lifelong dream of establishing her own research centre, where she collaborates with volunteers and students contributing to conservation endeavours, embodying her commitment to safeguarding the rich biodiversity of South Africa’s landscapes.
How We Started
Leah and Chanelle first crossed paths during their research endeavours in South Africa back in 2013. In 2017, Leah established a research centre on a commercial farm in Alldays, Limpopo, and Chanelle eagerly joined forces to help expand the site. Their collaboration led to a noteworthy observation: by having participants pay farmers to reside on their farms and engage in wildlife studies, it provided farmers with a newfound appreciation for the local wildlife, subsequently reducing conflicts between wildlife and farmers. After contributing to the success of the research centre, Chanelle has since established her own centre in the Western Cape and Leah aspires to extend this opportunity to other landowners, giving rise to the creation of WildComm.