Members

Dr. Alex Sliwa – Project Leader Curator at Cologne Zoo, Germany Conducted the first ecological and behavioural study on the species between 1992 – 1998 on Benfontein, Kimberley, Northern Cape Province, South Africa and has led annual field operations of the Working Group since 2005 Invited member of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group Former International Studbook Keeper for Black-footed cats and Coordinator for the Black-footed cat EEP (European Breeding Programme) while at the Wuppertal Zoo, Germany Chair of the Felid TAG (Taxon Advisory Group) for EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria with 300 scientifically led zoos as members) Has worked in the field also on aardwolf and Gordon’s wild cat
Beryl Wilson – Project Manager Zoologist, McGregor Museum, Kimberley Currently completing her MSc degree in the University of Pretoria’s Mammal Research Institute on current and historical distribution records of black-footed cats Has been active in black-footed cat research since 1992 Ethologist and Psychologist by training Active Member of the African Wildlife Society
Dr. Nadine Lamberski – Project Veterinarian Veterinary Clinical Operations Manager, Harter Veterinary Medical Center, San Diego Wild Animal Park, USA Has been working on health and infectious disease monitoring in wild black-footed cats and sympatric small carnivores on an annual base since 2004 Veterinary Advisor to the Black-footed Cat Species Survival Plan (North American breeding programme) Active in national and international veterinary societies and several in-situ and ex-situ projects involving endangered species such as cheetahs, thick-billed parrots, and desert tortoises
Dr. Jason Herrick – Project Reproductive Biologist Assistant Professor in the Department of Veterinary at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Has conducted research on the basic reproductive biology of black-footed cats in captivity Actively involved in research to introduce founder genes into captive populations of black-footed cats using cryopreserved semen from wild cats for in vitro fertilization procedures Also involved with studies of reproduction in sand cats and other small felids Reproductive Biology Advisor for the Black-footed Cat Species Survival Plan
Dr. Arne Lawrenz – Project Veterinarian Veterinarian and Vice-Director at Wuppertal Zoo, Germany Veterinary Advisor to the Black-footed Cat EEP (European Endangered Species Programme) Has worked on wild black-footed cats in 1997-1998 and extensively on captive black-footed cats Supervisor on dissertation on research into AA-Amyloidosis in wild and captive black-footed cats Joined the BFC Working Group in 2009