People

Ginger Elliott, MSc

Research Biologist - Reproductive technologies

My primary research interest is in assisted reproductive technologies as they can be applied to species at risk. Specifically, I aim to focus on cryopreservation and gamete rescue research, which tend to be species specific technologies. My research focuses on adapting existing methods for use with non-traditional focal species, for example reptiles, which have been understudied in the published literature. I have a further interest in non-invasive wildlife endocrinology and hope to develop methods to monitor steroid hormones to augment conservation breeding success for species at risk. I aim to develop these technologies with direct connection to conservation action planning, including in situ and ex situ conservation applications, with a specific focus on rare, threatened, and endangered species in Canada.

Hana Thompson, MSc

Research Biologist - Genomics

I am the Genomics Research Biologist in the Research & Conservation Department at African Lion Safari. I am a conservation geneticist interested in the application of genomic tools to improve conservation management, with a focus on conservation breeding and reintroduction programs. Currently, I am working with the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Eastern Loggerhead Shrike, and Blue-Throated Macaw conservation breeding programs. I am also interested in developing standardized methods to measure and monitor genetic diversity of Canadian species – both in the wild and in human care. Next year, I am planning to start a PhD focused on bioindicators of genetic diversity and the impact of plasticity on the outcome of ex situ conservation programs.

Janel Lefebvre, MSc

Research Biologist- Thermography

As the thermography research biologist at African Lion Safari, I am interested in validating methods to use infrared thermography (IRT) as a diagnostic tool in both in situ and ex situ environments. From my previous career as a zookeeper, I realized the need to utilize non-invasive technologies to monitor animals under human care, since the ability to be “hands on” is not always an option. In ex situ environments, my work is targeted towards developing methods to assess overall health, reproduction and behaviour across several species. Using the information gained from this work with ex situ populations, my goal is to apply these techniques to conservation efforts for their wild counterparts.