Tenaya Duncan
Meet PhD student Tenaya, who is working to reduce feral cat predation on native animals
What is your current area of research?
I’m currently a PhD student at Murdoch University working in partnership with Bush Heritage Australia using artificial refuges for native terrestrial species in disturbed landscapes to reduce feral cat predation. I am working on two Bush Heritage reserves (Eurardy: Nhanda country, Hamelin: Malgana country) to replace natural refuges that have been lost due to clearing or grazing and attract native species back into the areas Bush Heritage are restoring.
Tell us about your background; what made you interested in research?
I have always wanted to work with animals and be a zookeeper for a large part of my childhood, wanting to work with elephants. When I volunteered at a wildlife park in Perth, that’s where it all changed. I worked with dingoes which sparked my interest in Australian predators, and pursued university and research. From there, I completed my undergraduate degree in Conservation Biology and Zoology at the University of Western Australia and my certificate III in captive animal management at Perth Zoo. I became more interested in pursuing research on Australian predators during my studies. I then completed my honours degree at Murdoch University, looking at the dingo diet in the West Kimberley and a dasyurid captive management course in Tasmania. After honours, I jumped into the workforce and worked at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development as a contractor to eradicate the Queensland Fruitfly. This caused a slight shift in my interest area into invasive species management. This led me to start my PhD on feral cats, a good combination of invasive species and predators. Throughout my studies and career, I have also continued to work with many bird species through rehabilitation, ranging from honeyeaters, black cockatoos to birds of prey.
What are some of the highlights from following this career path?
There’s been a few, but I can honestly say being able to work with some amazing animals. Some highlights include working with Tasmanian Devils, releasing rehabilitated black cockatoos, trapping and monitoring Woylies. And, of course, being able to meet and work with some amazing mentors, researchers and ecologists.
What do you consider are some of your best achievements?
Graduating from university was a big achievement, personally. I was the first in my family to attend university and consider it a big achievement. I would also say publishing my first paper from my honours in Australian Mammalogy. It was a lot of hard work, particularly during COVID, but it was a great experience.
[You can check out Tenaya's paper here]
What is your favourite activity in mammal research?
This is a hard one. As gross as it sounds, I’d have to say scat analysis, I found it very interesting analysing predator diets and working out what they eat. I would also say that as monotonous as it is, I enjoy camera traps, reviewing the photos and seeing all the cool critters.
Do you have an interesting mammal anecdote?
I have a few, I am someone who is prone to be bitten. I have had nerve damage from a redtail black cockatoo who decided to have a chew on my index finger. While learning how to grab and hold a Tasmanian Devil, one had given me a little bite on my ankle. However, my top anecdote would have to be when I was studying at Perth Zoo and a white-cheeked gibbon I had been working with decided to come up to the fence and show me her 1-week old baby as I was walking past.
Do you have any advice for other students interested in mammalogy?
Believe in yourself! At times it will be hard, and you may have self-doubt, but push through and pursue your interests. I would also say, say yes to all opportunities given to you, you never know what you might see or whom you may meet along the way.
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