The impact of livestock on parasite transmission in communities of African savanna herbivores

With a growing human population, wildlife in sub-Saharan Africa is under intensifying pressure from human activities. On savannas, herbivores increasingly share their pastures with livestock but the ecological consequences of coexistence remain poorly understood. A particular knowledge gap relates to the effect of livestock presence on patterns of parasite transmission. The student will conduct fieldwork in Kenya to collect primary data on parasite infection in herbivores, and subsequently analyse the data to explore patterns of livestock-wildlife transmission. The project is linked to HORN, a multi-partner training and research programme focusing on One Health in the Horn of Africa. Confidence in leading fieldwork in Africa (ideally backed up by evidence) and lab experience in fecal egg counts and/or coprocultures would be advantageous but are not essential.

Objectives:
(1) To quantify the impact of livestock presence on parasite transmission in an African savannah system
(2) Use this insight to make recommendations for both conservation management and livestock production.