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Neil D’Cruze

I am interested in a range of conservation and animal welfare issues. Through my research, I seek to obtain the data needed to inform practical solutions that reduce the suffering of wild animals and protect wild populations.

Since 2004, I have led biodiversity surveys throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and Central America that have generated baseline ecological data for a range of different taxa in previously unexplored areas.

These field surveys led to the discovery of six new species and also secured the first wild photographic evidence of the endangered Visayan spotted deer and Warty pig via remote camera trapping in the Philippines.

More recently, I have also been involved in addressing a number of complex global issues that threaten wild animal welfare and survival including human-wildlife conflict and wildlife trade.

My efforts have helped to improve the welfare and conservation status of a wide range of different species including Sloth bears in India, Civets in Indonesia, Brown bears in Turkey, and Green turtles in the Caribbean.

A professional photographer, images relating to my research have also featured in a number of high profile media publications such as the Guardian, Der Spiegal, Le Monde and National Geographic.

During my career I am fortunate to have lived, worked and travelled in over 40 countries across 6 continents and have published over 30 peer-reviewed scientific articles. I first joined WildCRU as visiting academic in 2014.

My main research areas of interests are: biodiversity surveys, human-wildlife conflict and wildlife trade.

Global trade in wild animals is soaring – South Africa’s laws aren’t doing enough to prevent harm

Dec 12, 2024 02:49 am UTC| Insights & Views Law

The quantity and complexity of commercial wildlife trade laws has grown globally over the past century. A new study examines wildlife trade laws in 11 countries and finds that a countrys Global Biodiversity Index does not...

Economy

2025 Housing Market Outlook Brings Glimmers of Optimism but Affordability Concerns Still Loom Large

The U.S. housing market in 2025 offers cautious optimism, with Bank of America predicting better supply and steady mortgage rates. However, affordability and inventory shortages are expected to limit the pace of recovery,...

Soaring EV Sales Spark Scramble for Lithium and Graphite as 2030 Supply Pinch Looms

A booming market could drive electric vehicle sales from 4.5 million this year to nearly 28 million by 2030, pressuring scarce battery resources. A new McKinsey analysis highlights looming shortages in lithium, manganese,...

US Targets Huawei Ties in TSMC AI Chip Scandal Sparking Fresh Tech Showdown

The US is preparing to blacklist Sophgo for its involvement in supplying TSMC chips found in Huaweis AI processors. This decision intensifies Washingtons campaign against Chinas tech ambitions and raises new challenges for...

Honda, Nissan Discuss Factory Sharing Moves to Counter Trump’s Trade Shifts and Expand Global Reach

Factory sharing between Honda and Nissan could reshape their global presence as they navigate uncertainties tied to Trumps policies. Talks highlight their strategic efforts to streamline operations and secure a competitive...

Tesla Addresses 'Cell Dent' Issues in Cybertruck Batteries, Sends Units Back to Gigafactory Texas

Tesla has discovered cell dent problems in its Cybertruck battery packs, prompting the automaker to send affected vehicles back to Gigafactory Texas for replacement. The issue affects inventory vehicles and highlights...

Politics

Donald Trump's Alleged Plans to Fire Elon Musk Spark Controversy Over Administration Rift and Business Ties

Speculation is mounting over reports that former President Donald Trump is considering removing Elon Musk from any future role in his administration. The rumors, amplified by a post on Polymarket predicting only a 13%...

Mitt Romney Claims 'Democrats Will Save Johnson' Sparking Outrage Over 'Speaker's Leadership and Bipartisan Politics'

In a striking statement, Senator Mitt Romney suggested that Democrats may intervene to keep Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House. The claim, shared in a tweet by conservative commentator Laura Loomer, has sparked a fiery...

Sen. Mike Lee Predicts 'Mike Johnson Ouster' and Floats 'Vivek or Elon' for Speaker Role

Utah Senator Mike Lee has stirred political discourse by predicting House Speaker Mike Johnson could soon be ousted from his role. Lees comments, made during a radio interview on Thursday, included a surprising pitch for...

Trump Pledges to 'Overturn Biden's 'Mass Amnesty Plan' Sparking Immigration Debate and Political Uproar

Former President Donald Trump has vowed to rescind President Joe Bidens mass amnesty plan if reelected, intensifying the national conversation around immigration policy. Trumps statement, delivered at a rally in Iowa on...

Joe Biden's $1.2 Billion 'Ukraine Aid' Faces Backlash Over 'Domestic Priorities and Accountability'

porting Ukraine. This isnt just about Ukraine; its about defending democracy worldwide and countering Russian aggression, stated House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The Biden administration has also faced mounting...

Science

Emergency Declared as Bird Flu 'Spreads' to California Dairy Cows

California Governor Gavin Newsom has officially declared a state of emergency in response to the rapidly escalating bird flu outbreak. The declaration comes after avian influenza was detected in dairy cows, a rare and...

Missing Radioactive Material in New Jersey Sparks Panic — Are Drones ‘Hunting for It’?

A small amount of radioactive material went missing in New Jersey earlier this month, raising concerns over public safety and potential security risks. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) confirmed on December 2,...

Some black holes at the centers of galaxies have a buddy − but detecting these binary pairs isn’t easy

Every galaxy has a supermassive black hole at its center, much like every egg has a yolk. But sometimes, hens lay eggs with two yolks. In a similar way, astrophysicists like us who study supermassive black holes expect to...

Astronomers have pinpointed the origin of mysterious repeating radio bursts from space

Slowly repeating bursts of intense radio waves from space have puzzled astronomers since they were discovered in 2022. In new research, we have for the first time tracked one of these pulsating signals back to its...

How is Donald Trump prioritizing funding for cancer research in 2025?

President-elect Donald Trump has announced a major initiative to prioritize funding for cancer research in 2025, pledging billions in federal support to combat one of the worlds leading causes of death. The plan includes...

Technology

Samsung Plans Ultra-Thin Galaxy S25 Slim to Rival iPhone 17 Air in 2025 Flagship Battle

Samsung is reportedly preparing to unveil its thinnest flagship yet, the Galaxy S25 Slim, early next year. The device, with a rumored sub-7mm thickness, is aimed at challenging Apples iPhone 17 Air while pushing the...

OpenAI Heats Up AI Race with o3 Models Aiming to Outperform Google’s Gemini in Complex Problem Solving

OpenAI is raising the stakes in AI innovation with its o3 and o3 mini models, designed for superior reasoning and complex problem-solving. Scheduled for early 2024 releases, these models target leadership in the fierce...

US Grants $6.75 Billion in Chips Awards to Samsung, Texas Instruments, and Amkor for Manufacturing Boom

The US Commerce Department has finalized $6.75 billion in chips funding, granting billions to Samsung, Texas Instruments, and Amkor in a major push to secure domestic semiconductor leadership. Samsung Secures Largest Share...

Top AI Chip Stock Positioned for Explosive 2025 Growth, Jefferies Signals Major Upside

A top-performing AI chip company has emerged as Jefferies standout stock for 2025, fueled by groundbreaking advancements in custom chip designs. Analysts predict the firm could achieve record-breaking revenues and market...

NVIDIA Tracks China’s H100 Chip Breach as Super Micro Computer Faces New Compliance Pressure

NVIDIA is probing how restricted H100 chips are ending up in China. Allegations of forged serial numbers and questionable distributor practices, including Super Micro Computer, have triggered a sweeping investigation into...