Alexander Dibnah, BSc, MSc
PhD Candidate • Centre for Ecosystem Science
School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences
University of New South Wales
Sydney • Australia
Project Location & Description
Oświęcim Basin • Vistula River Valley • Poland
Researcher Alexander Dibnah's project investigates the social function of howling in wild dingoes (Canis dingo)—Australia’s apex predator—using passive bioacoustic monitoring in Myall Lakes National Park, NSW. While canid howls are known to play vital roles in territory defense and social cohesion, most studies have focused on captive animals or species like wolves. Little is known about the timing, location, and purpose of howling in wild dingoes.
Over two years, passive acoustic recorders will monitor howling across six known dingo packs, comparing acoustic activity between core and peripheral territories, and across breeding, denning, and pup-rearing seasons. Acoustic indices and manual analysis will help assess how howling patterns relate to social and ecological contexts.
Findings will fill a major gap in canid behavioural ecology and support the development of howl-based, non-lethal deterrents for managing human-dingo conflict. By mimicking natural howl patterns, these tools may reduce the need for lethal control and help conserve dingoes’ ecological role in regulating prey and mesopredator populations. This project combines behavioural ecology with applied conservation, offering scalable, evidence-based solutions for coexistence.
Researcher Bio
Alexander James Dibnah is a PhD student at UNSW Sydney, specializing in animal behaviour, communication, and large carnivore conservation. He completed an MSc by Research at the University of Exeter in 2021, where he discovered a “vocalised voting system” in wild jackdaws. From 2022 to 2023, he worked with Botswana Predator Conservation, studying African wild dogs and other large carnivores. In 2024, he began his PhD with support from a University International Postgraduate Award, focusing on dingo communication and non-lethal conflict management. Alex aims to advance understanding of vocal behaviour in carnivores to support conservation strategies globally.
Awarded: 8 Song Meter Mini 2 (AA)
Dr. Nikhil Modak
Associate Professor in Research
Henryk Hoyer Department of Comparative Anatomy
Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research
Jagiellonian University
Kraków • Poland
Project Location & Description
Oświęcim Basin • Vistula River Valley • Poland
Dr. Modak's project investigates the shifting dynamics of Pelophylax frog communities in the fish ponds near Kraków, Poland—specifically focusing on P. ridibundus, P. lessonae, and their hybrid P. esculentus. Traditional monitoring methods in the region have been inconsistent and invasive, leaving major gaps in our understanding of how these species interact, particularly during the breeding season. By deploying Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) across nine sites, this study will non-invasively capture daily and seasonal acoustic patterns, allowing researchers to identify species-specific calls and track community changes over time. This is especially important as P. ridibundus appears to be expanding and potentially displacing the other two species, likely due to habitat changes and regional warming.
Acoustic data will replace labor-intensive surveys and reduce reliance on costly molecular identification, while also enabling long-term, weather-independent monitoring. Findings will provide insight into species dominance, acoustic niche overlap, and hybridization dynamics. Importantly, this is the first study in Poland to use PAM for frog communities and could serve as a model for nationwide monitoring efforts.
Beyond academic value, the results will inform habitat conservation strategies and climate adaptation policies, especially for P. lessonae, whose habitat preferences make it vulnerable to warming and land-use change. This work also offers valuable training opportunities in acoustic monitoring and data analysis for students and researchers alike.
Researcher Bio
Dr. Nikhil Modak is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Jagiellonian University specializing in amphibian systematics, evolutionary biology, community ecology, and acoustic communication. He has extensive field experience in the Western Ghats of India, focusing on anuran biodiversity using camera traps and passive acoustic monitoring. His work combines machine learning, and he is experienced in R programming language, QGIS (for mapping and geospatial analysis), Raven (for analyzing acoustic data), and MAXENT (for species distribution modeling). A member of the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, he has contributed to Red List assessments of Indian amphibians. Currently, he also conducts physiological experiments on anuran tadpoles and supports high-throughput genome analysis.
Awarded: 20 Song Meter Micro 2; 2 Kaleidoscope Pro Licenses
Dr. Mohammed Kasso Geda
Associate Professor of Zoology
Biology Department
College of Natural and Computational Sciences
Hawassa University
Sidama National Regional State • Ethiopia
Project Location & Description
Northern Sidama Zone • Sidama • Ethiopia
Dr. Kasso's project explores the ecological role of bats in the Northern Sidama Zone of southern Ethiopia, a region where agroforestry supports local livelihoods and biodiversity. Bats are vital to these ecosystems, providing pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal services—yet they remain underappreciated and understudied.
Using a combination of passive acoustic monitoring, real-time detection, and mist-netting, Dr. Kasso's team will assess bat activity, diversity, and their relationships with pest populations across different agricultural settings. This data will help identify species most beneficial to farming systems and inform the development of bat-friendly agroforestry practices. The project will also engage local farmers through education and outreach, helping shift perceptions about bats and highlighting their value to agriculture. Community workshops, educational materials, and collaborative discussions will foster stewardship and support for bat conservation.
Findings will inform management strategies, guide sustainable farming practices, and contribute to regional conservation policies. By combining acoustic monitoring with community-based conservation, this project fills a crucial data gap, builds local capacity, and promotes coexistence between bats and people, standing to benefit both biodiversity and agricultural sustainability in the region.
Researcher Bio
Dr. Mohammed Kasso Geda is an Associate Professor of Ecology and Systematic Zoology at Hawassa University, Ethiopia. He specializes in the diversity, conservation, and ecology of small mammals—particularly rodents, shrews, and bats—with over 35 published research articles. His work has enhanced understanding of Ethiopia’s small mammal fauna and informed wildlife habitat protection. Dr. Kasso also studies pest impacts on horticultural crops and post-harvest losses. He actively collaborates with national and international partners and mentors students and early-career researchers. His expertise in highland small mammal ecology positions him to lead impactful bat research with support from Wildlife Acoustics.
Awarded: 2 Song Meter Mini Bat 2 (AA); 2 Song Meter Mini Bat 2 (Li-ion); 2 Mini Bat 2 Accessories; 1 Echo Meter Touch 2; 1 Kaleidoscope Pro License
In the spirit of reconciliation, Faunatech acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
Join our mailing list to get notified about upcoming training opportunities, live webinars, quarterly grant offerings, product releases, and more.
Thank you for signing up to our mailing list.
You can unsubscribe or change your email settings at any time by clicking "Manage Preferences" link at the bottom of any mailing list emails we send you.
