Hey everyone, my name is Katey and I have just stepped into the role of Research Coordinator with the Little Fireface Project. Having been a lover of lorises for many years now I am thrilled to be back in the field and on the front line working toward slow loris conservation.
My love affair with slow lorises started during my undergraduate studies when I was offered the opportunity to spend a year in Sabah, Borneo, working as a student research assistant at Danau Girang Field Centre. I assisted researchers with many species including proboscis monkeys, monitor lizards, civets, tarsiers and of course slow lorises. During this time, I acquired all the necessary skills to study slow lorises in the wild, including VHF tracking, capture and collaring techniques and collecting all manner of samples. I was also able to conduct my own personal study into the social interactions, infant dispersal and establishment of home ranges in the Philippine slow loris. However, time flew by as it does when one is having fun and before I knew it, I was back in Cardiff finishing my degree.
In the 4 years since I left Borneo, I went on to complete both my BSc in Zoology and an MSc in Conservation and Biodiversity, spending 3 months in South Africa studying the behavioural ecology of giraffes. Finally, last autumn I found myself ready to step into the world of conservation careers, and almost like fate the LFP advertisement for a new research coordinator appeared before me. You can believe me when I say I have never been more qualified for a role in my life, and I jumped at the chance to apply. Fast forward three months (and a *very* lengthy visa process) and I have returned to Southeast Asia!
This first week in Cipaganti has been a whirlwind; I have been introduced to the hardworking staff and volunteers here at LFP headquarters, observed several of our lorises, attended a local wedding and met a number of our local colleagues, including coffee farmers and village leaders. It’s fair to say that my head is spinning from all the introductions, but I absolutely cannot fault the warm welcome I have received from Cipaganti and all its residents. Moving forward my role as Research Coordinator centres around the slow lorises and managing the wealth of data that LFP have collected on them over the years. Being in the field is definitely my happy place and I can’t wait to share my adventures and the lives of our lorises with all of you.
