I work for the Wild Planet Trust based at Paignton Zoo. My role is to manage overseas regional conservation programmes for Wild Planet Trust in Africa and Asia but I also help coordinate research themes across the organisation’s zoos, nature reserves and project sites. My work involves working closely with different partners to prioritise conservation actions, source and manage funds, and undertake research and surveys.
Qualifications
BSc Zoology, Cardiff University (2000) PhD Genetic patterns in forest antelope populations, University of Exeter (2012)
Roles on external bodies
Member, IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group
Chair, BIAZA Field Programmes Committee
Honorary Associate Research Fellow, University of Exeter
Research
Research interests
I am interested in a wide range of fields including molecular ecology, the natural history of African forest mammals, ecological survey methods, the role of zoos in reintroduction, and conservation project management theory. Current projects with a research component at Wild Planet Trust include:
Selamatkan Yaki – save Sulawesi macaques
Conservation of Hyper-endemic Udzungwa Restricted Amphibians (CHURA)
Forest antelope surveys in Tanzania
Omo-Shasha-Oluwa Forest Elephant Initiative
Development of a of a rapid diagnostic test for amphibian chytridiomycosis with the University of Exeter
Publications
1. Bailey, C., Hilser, H., Siwi, Y., Lawea, Z., Waterman, J., Loffeld, T., Sampson, H., Tasirin, J., Melfi, V. and Bowkett, A.E. (2022). Trends in the bushmeat market trade in North Sulawesi and recommended conservation responses. Animal Conservation 25: 4-14
2. Christie, A.P., White, T.B., Martin, P., Petrovan, S.O., Bladon, A.J., Bowkett, A.E., Littlewood, N.A., Mupepele, A., Rocha, R., Sainsbury, K.A., Smith, R.K., Taylor, N.G. and Sutherland, W.J. (2021) Reducing publication delay to improve the efficiency and impact of conservation science. PeerJ 9:e12245
3. Lemasson, A.J., Petrovan, S.O., Smith, R.K. Sutherland, W.J. and Bowkett, A.E. (2020) What is the evidence for the effectiveness of husbandry and management interventions for the conservation and welfare of captive animals? A systematic map protocol. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 8: 223-230
4. Johnson, C.L., Hilser, H., Linkie, M., Rahasia, R., Rovero, F., Pusparini, W., Hunowu, I., Patandung, A., Andayani, N., Tasirin, J., Nistyantara, L.A. and Bowkett, A.E. (2020) Using occupancy-based camera trap surveys to assess and monitor a Critically Endangered primate Macaca nigra across its range in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Oryx 54: 784-793
5. Biega, A.M., Lamont, M., Mooers, A.O., Bowkett, A.E. and Martin, T.E. (2019) Guiding the prioritization of the most endangered and evolutionary distinct birds for new ex-situ conservation programs. Zoo Biology 38: 305–315
6. Johnson, C.L., Hilser, H., Andayani, N., Hunowu, I., Linkie, M., Patandung, A., Pusparini, W., Rahasia, R. and Bowkett, A.E. (2019) Camera traps clarify the distribution boundary between the crested black macaque Macaca nigra and Gorontalo macaque Macaca nigrescens in North Sulawesi. International Journal of Primatology 40: 162-166
7. Amin, R., Wacher, T., Bowkett, A.E., Ogwoka, B., Morris, M. and Agwanda, B. (2018) Africa’s forgotten forests: the conservation value of Kenya’s northern coastal forests for large mammals. Journal of East African Natural History 107: 41–61
8. Dillon, M.J., Bowkett, A.E., Bungard, M.J., Beckman, K., O’Brien, M., Bates, K., Fisher, M.C., Stevens, J.R. and Thornton, C.R. (2017) Tracking the amphibian pathogens Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans by using a highly specific monoclonal antibody and lateral-flow technology. Microbial Biotechnology 10: 381-394
9. Amin, R., Andanje, S.A., Ogwonka, B., Ali, A.H., Bowkett, A.E., Omar, M. and Wacher, T. (2015) The northern coastal forests of Kenya are nationally and globally important for the conservation of Aders' duiker and other antelope species. Biodiversity and Conservation, 24: 641-658
10. Bowkett, A.E., Jones, T., Rovero, F., Nielsen, M.R., Davenport, T.R.B., Hawkins, D., Plowman, A.B. and Stevens, J.R. (2014) Distribution and genetic diversity of the Endangered Abbott’s duiker Cephalophus spadix in the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania. Endangered Species Research, 24: 105-114
11. Bowkett, A.E. (2014) Ex situ conservation planning is more complicated than prioritising the keeping of threatened species in zoos. Animal Conservation, 17: 101-103
12. Hilser, H., Siwi, Y., Agung, I., Masson, G., Bowkett, A.E., Plowman, A.B., Melfi, V., and Tasirin, J.S. (2013) A non-native population of the Critically Endangered Sulawesi crested black macaque persists on the island of Bacan. Oryx, 47: 479-480
13. Bowkett, A.E., Jones, T., Laizzer, R.L., Plowman, A.B. and Stevens, J.R. (2013) Can molecular data validate morphometric identification of forest antelope faecal pellets? Conservation Genetics Resources, 5: 1095-1100
14. Seki, H.A., Bowkett, A.E., Bungard, M.J., Doggart, N. and Menegon, M. (2011) A survey for three threatened, narrow endemic amphibian species in the Uzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve, Tanzania. Oryx, 45: 474
15. Andanje, S.A., Bowkett, A.E., Agwanda, B., Ngaruiya, G.W., Plowman, A.B., Wacher, T. and Amin, R. (2011) A new population of the critically endangered Aders’ duiker Cephalophus adersi confirmed from northern coastal Kenya. Oryx, 45: 444-447
16. Ntie, S., Johnston, A.R., Mickala, P., Bowkett, A.E. et al. (2010) A molecular diagnostic for identifying Central African forest artiodactyls from faecal pellets. Animal Conservation, 13: 80-93
17. Bowkett, A.E. (2009) Recent captive-breeding proposals and the return of the Ark concept to global species conservation. Conservation Biology, 23: 773-776