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The Idea
Not just a stinky pile of poop in the savannah, dung provides a window on the world of elephants. Dung can be analyzed for parasites and hormones that show the animal’s stress levels.
Join scientist Tabitha Finch as she explores the biology of crop raiding elephants. Learn about elephants, genetics, hormones, parasites, the scientific method, Kenya, the life of a scientist and more.
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The Team
Tabitha Finch does all the dirty work for the project as part of earning her PhD in Biology with Dr. Lori Eggert. Tabitha is interested in using scienctific techniques to answer conservation related questions and hopes to work in applied conservation when she is done at MU.
Maggie Berglund dreams of producing stories about science research as a full-time occupation. For now she is finishing up a Master’s degree in Journalism at the University of Missouri. She has an undergraduate degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in environmental education.
Lori Eggert mentors both Tabitha and Maggie. She has a PhD in Biology and teaches at the University of Missouri. Her lab specializes in non-invasive sampling techniques, like using dung to study elephants instead of capturing and drugging them. Eggert’s lab has used a variety of non-invasive techniques to study bears in Missouri, wild horses in the U.S. and elephants in Africa.
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