Pallavi Ghaskadbi

For my postdoc, I would be studying the reproductive timing of seven mammalian species across Sweden using camera traps. The research aims to provide an understanding of the biological needs and ethical considerations, such as avoiding the disruption of mating, parenting, and the shooting of lactating females to determine appropriate hunting seasons. Having worked within a system with a preservationist approach to conservation, I found this project intriguing for its focus on active management, including hunting, as a vital tool for regulating populations and their ecological impact to support wildlife management.

As an ecologist, I am interested in understanding how individuals and populations function, using a range of different behavioural and life history traits. Though majority of my research has been with large carnivores, I am looking forward to expand my understanding of meso and small carnivores among other species.

My goal is to conduct fundamental research aimed at understanding the intricate relationships between behavior, environment, and evolutionary fitness, with a strong emphasis on practical applications in conservation and management. This includes studying behavioral responses to environmental pressures, and human wildilfe interactions.

I am a postdoc in the research program "Reproductive Timing of Mammals in a Changing World" focuses on studying the reproductive schedules of seven mammal species—red fox, badger, pine marten, polecat, European hare, mountain hare, and beaver—in relation to food availability and weather/climate conditions. The program was initiated due to a lack of current knowledge on the reproductive timing of these species, which is necessary for revising hunting regulations. My main focus in this multispecies, multi method project is to use tools like camera trapping to understand the timing of when young ones are born and when they are likely to be independent of their parent(s).

I have guided undergrad and grad students in the past. Further, I have conducted several training workshops for students and non academic personel on wildife monitoring .

For my PhD, I studied the behavioural ecology of the Asiatic wild dog or dhole (Cuon alpinus) with an emphasis on social behaviour. I also studied the movement ecology of dholes and the intraguild competition within the large carnivore community in the decidous tropical forests of Central India.

My research also includes understanding the movement ecology of tigers inside and outside of protected areas. I have been a part of multiple long term, landscape level projects that involve monitoring of wildlife using camera trapping and radio-telemetry.

Ph.D. 2023 Wildlife Science: Wildlife Institute of India, India. 
Thesis: “Ecology of the Asiatic Wild dog (Cuon alpinus) with insights into behaviour and co-predator interactions.” 
M.Sc. 2015 Master’s in Wildlife Science: Wildlife Institute of India, India. 
Dissertation title: “A whistle amongst growls: Dholes in a multi predator system in dry deciduous forests of India.” 
B.Sc. 2013 Bachelor’s in Zoology and Botany: St.Xavier’s College, Mumbai, India.