Ange Pestell and Mary Thorpe

“I found thousands of kangaroo selfies and swamp wallaby selfies, they’re up there with my favourites.”

Ange is an applied ecologist who has recently returned to research after many years in the public sector. She is undertaking her PhD at Deakin University investigating the interplay of fire and wildlife using camera and video trapping on Wotjobaluk Country in western Victoria.

Mary works as a research officer at Parks Victoria with a focus on threat monitoring.

Together, they are testing how artificial intelligence can reduce processing times for the many camera trap images that ecologists must often manage.

The Ecological Society of Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Ange and Mary work on the lands of the Gunaikurnai People, the Bunurong People, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People of the Kulin Nations, and the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagalk Nations.

Help the ESA support ecology in Australia by donating (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ecolsoc.org.au/get-involved/donate/donation-form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) or by becoming a member (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ecolsoc.org.au/get-involved/become-a-member⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠).

The music in this podcast is 'Glow' by Scott Buckley - www.scottbuckley.com.au.

Episode image credit - Ange Pestell.

Season image credit - Russell Charters.