Dr Helen Senn
Head of Conservation and Science Programmes
Helen manages the RZSS Conservation department. She has worked at RZSS since 2011, including managing the RZSS WildGenes lab. She is a specialist in conservation genetics. She also works on species conservation strategies and action plans across the globe.
She has particular interests in the management of reintroductions, the detection and management of hybridization, relationship between taxonomy and conservation, strategic planning and capacity building. Her academic research work mainly focuses on arid-land ungulate species (e.g. Arabian oryx, scimitar-horned oryx, addax and dama gazelle), wildcats, beaver and other mammals. Her PhD research focused on the hybridisation of red and sika deer in Scotland.
BACKGROUND
- PhD (University of Edinburgh, UK) Molecular Ecology/Evolutionary Biology
• BSc hons (University of St Andrews) Environmental and Evolutionary Biology
OTHER POSITIONS
- IUCN Antelope specialist group member (2014-)
- IUCN Conservation genetics specialist group member (2016-)
- Sahara Conservation Fund Conservation & Science Committee Member (2014-)
- EAZA population management group (2015-)
- EAZA bio-banking working group (2016-)
- Genetics advisor to Scottish Wildcat (2016-) and AZAA Arabian Sand Cat (2014-) breeding programmes.
- Genetics advisor to the European Association of Zoo and Aquaria (EAZA) Antelope and Giraffe Taxonomic Advisory Group (TAG) and EAZA Felid TAG.
- University of Edinburgh, Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Hon. Fellowship (2016-)
- University of Glasgow, Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, Affiliate (2016-)
- Sharjah International Workshop for the Conservation of Arabian Biodiversity Scientific Committee Member (2017-)
- Scottish Environment LINK Trustee (2017-)
Publications
For all of Helen's publications please visit her Google Scholar page here.
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News
22/06/2022
Ten more wildcat kittens born at Saving Wildcats conservation breeding for release centre
Keepers at the Saving Wildcats conservation breeding for release centre have captured images of one of two new litters of wildcat kittens, who could be among the first of their species to be released into the wild in Britain.
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News
15/06/2022
Truckloads of support for threatened wildlife in Brazil
A new 4x4 vehicle, co-funded by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), will enable conservationists in Brazil to continue their vital work saving endangered giant anteaters and giant armadillos across three different ecosystems.