The Western Centre for Animals on the Move (CAM) conducts research on how, why, and where animals move.
We explore how animal movement is influenced by the surrounding environment and human activities. Each year, around the globe, billions of birds, bats, fishes, sea turtles, marine and terrestrial mammals, and insects navigate hundreds to thousands of kilometers between specialized habitats required for breeding, over-winter survival, moulting, and other activities.
Designing effective conservation actions for migratory and non-migratory species in Canada is a major conservation challenge. Canada cannot be resilient to the effects of a changing climate and anthropogenic activities without the health and connectivity of its mobile animal species. The Centre for Animals on Move informs the way we measure, approach, communicate, and ultimately interact with mobile animal species.
Featured News
Bird safety now! Dr. Brendon Samuels on CTV newsTales from the field: It's too early for this
Dr. Brendon Samuels, a recent PhD graduate from the S. MacDougall-Shackleton lab appeared on CTV news this month to discuss his current endeavours to bring the federal government's attention to our rapidly declining bird populations in hopes that our environmental ministers will actually feel compelled to do something about it.
Godspeed, Brendon!
Watch the interview!
Congratulations, Leanne Grieves and Catie Ivy!
Look at our fledglings fly! Former Biology Department and CAM alumni, Leanne Grieves (of the B. MacDougall-Shackleton lab) and Catie Ivy (of the Guglielmo lab), have both been hired on as assistant professors at the University of Saskatchewan.We're all so proud of the both of you, and can't wait to see your next steps. There is no doubt in any of our minds that your labs and research will lead you to uncover something incredible. Congratulations again, and good luck out there!
Read more...
Congratulations, Keith Hobson!
Keith Hobson was recently honoured at the 2024 International Conference on the Application of Stable Isotope Techniques in Ecological Studies held in Frederiction, NB from July 29th - August 2nd. Keith was invited to give the IsoEcol Appreciation Lecture at the meeting to provide a deep dive into the history and key milestones of the field as well as share his insight into its current state and future directions. Given Keith's long and prestigious career in stable isotope ecology, including his groundbreaking work on using isoscapes to elucidate migratory patterns, I can scarcely think of a better and more deserving individual to have lead this celebration of stable isotope ecology. The abstract for his lecture can be read here Congratulations again, Keith!
Read more...
Congratulations to Simon Bonner!
Congratulations to Simon Bonner for being awarded the Faculty of Science Distinguished Reserach Professorship for 2024-2025! This professorship, funded by the Canada Research Chairs Program, aims to allow faculty members to take a break from the classroom in order to pursue a large scale project full-time.
Simon plans to establish a formal organization for statistical ecologists within Canada to better promote their research, provide supports for funding, and to establish strong ties between its members and to the larger research community.
Simon anticipates that this will help attract graduate students and post-doctoral fellows to the field, bridge gaps between academia and government/industry, and most importantly, drive forward new innovations through the power of scientific collaboration.
Way to go, Simon!
Dr David Sherry AFAR Graduate Award
In honour of the late Dr. David Sherry, distinguished University Professor Emeritus in the Departments of Psychology and Biology, a new award offered to full-time graduate students conducting AFAR afiliated research has been established. The award will be given based on financial need, and preference will be given to those involved in avian research. The award is valued at one annual payment of $1000.
Applications will include a one-page statement that addresses the selection criteria for the award and a current CV. These should be submitted as a single PDF attachment by email to smacdou2@uwo.ca
Research Highlights
MOTUS Telemetry System
The MOTUS telemetry system is an international collaboration for tracking birds and other small and hard to track species.
Featured field photos
Learn how our research efforts drive important discoveries that address key research questions and inform our next steps.
