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The programme
From ecologists to local volunteers, and from citizen scientists to academic researchers, our annual conference offers something for everyone.
All auditorium sessions (not workshops) can be attended online via Zoom.
Each session can be booked separately via the link below.
Questions posted by online attendees will be fed into the Q&A sessions, and recordings will be provided to both registered online attendees and physical attendees after the event.
Book tickets for in-person attendance here
Book tickets for online attendance here:
Friday morning , Friday afternoon , Saturday morning , Saturday afternoon
Thursday 27th March
Join us in-person or online for the Mammal Society Spotlight Session; a free event held on the eve of the conference. This session will feature an expert panel discussing the questions:
"What are the three big challenges to mammal conservation? And how can we overcome them?"
Our panelists will delve into pressing issues facing marine, freshwater, and terrestrial mammals, as well as explore how public awareness and understanding can shape the future of conservation efforts.
Friday 28th March
Friday kicks off with registration and exhibition opening at 9.15am, followed by a full day of speakers and workshops, ending with dinner and other activities from 6pm.
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9.45am: Opening address
10am-11.30am
Session 1 – Species RecoveryThe Missing Lynx Project: Exploring the feasibility of reintroducing lynx - Dr Deborah Brady, Dr Joe Premier, Dr Sam Cartwright, Faye Whiley
Development of a National Recovery Strategy for Red Squirrels in England through Structured Decision Making - Dr Bethany Smith and Dr Caio Kenup
Frozen Futures: How Cryopreservation Can Revolutionise Mammal Conservation - Grainne Hartigan
The effects of climate and land cover on hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) body mass over time and space - Elizabeth Gillie PhD
From planning to impact: Using the Conservation Standards to achieve measurable and sustainable results for mammals - Dr Samantha Bremner-Harrison
Panel Q&A
11.30am-12.15pm: Tea/Coffee Break and Poster Session
12.15pm-1pm
Break-out workshops & seminarsMammal tracks and signs: what are we looking for and what do they tell us? David Wege
Key applications of camera trapping for wildlife monitoring. Will Hughes
Which thermal camera should I choose? Wildcare
Introduction to Bioacoustics for monitoring Mammals. Wildlife Acoustics
How to review articles for publication. Dr. Robyn Grant
Enhancing Mammal Conservation with Ecology Dogs: Best Practices and Guidance. Ecology Detection Dog Working Group Board: Katie Beale, Rachel Cripps, Dr Caroline Finlay, Holly Peek
1pm - 2pm Lunch (provided)
2pm - 3.15pm
Session 2 - Surveying: Updates and InnovationsConservation detection dogs: A critical review of efficacy and methodology - Dr Caroline Finlay
Too cold to wake up? Uncovering the winter foraging activity of the greater horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, using a novel radiotracking technique - Katie Allan
The frequency and occurrence of pine martens Martes martes in sub-optimal habitat in relation to abundance of camera traps - Stuart Edmunds
Choosing a bait station to capture pine marten bib patterns: A comparison of two devices - Victoria Chanin, BSc Hons, PGCert
If you wallaby discovered: Exploring the status and ecology of wallabies in the UK - Anthony Caravaggi
Panel Q&A
3.15pm – 3.45pm: Tea & Coffee Break
3.45pm – 5.15pm
Surveying: Updates and InnovationsSmall mammals in focus: improving understanding of common species at a county level - Dave Groves
Preliminary analysis of winter roost occupancy and behaviour in relation to daily air temperature at a nursery roost of lesser horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus hipposideros) in Stackpole, West Wales, between 2001–2015 - Alice Thorne
National Polecat Survey Update - Katherine McBride
Evaluating deer impact methods for use in the English Uplands - Thomas William Logan BSc(Hons) MSc MRSB
iDeer: An integrated decision-support tool for managing deer alongside woodland creation - Amy Gresham
Cardiff University Otter Project: Recent highlights - Dr Liz Chadwick
Panel Q&A
5pm: Plenary
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Buffet dinner
Included in Friday one-day or weekend ticket price. Dietary requirements will be catered for.
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All Day:
Conference MarketplaceEvening entertainment:
Mammal Society Pub Quiz
Saturday 29th March
A full day of insightful talks and workshops ends with the Mammal Society AGM, then our Conference Dinner and Prize-Giving.
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9.45am: Opening address
10am-11.30am
Session 3 – Marine MammalsUsing Citizen Scientists to address Cetacean Conservation Monitoring - Professor Peter Evans
North Atlantic right whales: Stressing about their future - Katharyn Sarah Chadwick
Cognitive perception of circulating oxygen in seals: the reason marine mammals don’t drown - Dr J. Chris McKnight
Clean Catch: combining stakeholder-led approach and technological innovation for evidence-driven management - Alessandra Bielli
A photo ID study of Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) in the western UK and the effect of the tidal cycle on sightings around Anglesey in North Wales - Nadia Langford
Vibrissae Arrangements in Pinnipeds as a Tool for Identification - Katherine Todd
Panel Q&A
11.30am-12.15pm: Tea/Coffee Break and Poster Session
12.15pm-1pm
Break-out workshops & seminarsMammal tracks and signs: what are we looking for and what do they tell us? David Wege
Pine marten den box installation and monitoring. Vincent Wildlife Trust
Which thermal camera should I choose? WildCare
Introduction to Bioacoustics for monitoring Mammals. Wildlife Acoustics
How to write literature review articles for publication. Dr. Robyn Grant
Enhancing Mammal Conservation with Ecology Dogs: Best Practices and Guidance. Ecology Detection Dog Working Group Board: Katie
1pm - 2pm Lunch (provided)
2pm - 3.15pm
Session 4 – Changing LandscapesWhisker sensing in mammals in a changing world - Robyn Grant
Dietary variation in hazel dormice among woodland habitats - Charlotte Armitage
Plastic pollution in the diet of the European hedgehog - Emily Thrift
Sniffing out solutions: Investigating the use of odours to reduce dog-wildlife interactions - Rachel Cooper
Is eradication of invasive mink now possible? - Darren Tansley BSc (hons) MCIEEM
An update on the Greater White-toothed Shrew - Graham Smith
Panel Q&A
3.15pm – 3.45pm: Tea & Coffee Break
3.45pm – 5.15pm
Changing Landscapes
Eurasian otters as sentinels of freshwater chemical pollution: insights from biomonitoring PFASs - Emily O'RourkeReintroducing beaver (Castor fiber) as a tool for restoring and managing lentic wetlands - William Howard
Can bats be guided around anthropogenic threats and encouraged to use favourable locations? Charlotte Green
Chemical susceptibility of trees to grey squirrel bark stripping damage - Alexandra Ash
Hedgehog decline -Dylan Allman (Mammal Society Youth Ambassador)
Panel Q&A
5pm: Plenary
5.15pm Mammal Society AGM
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Mammal Society Dinner & Prize-giving
Included in Saturday one-day tickets and weekend tickets
Tickets for the dinner and prize-giving can be booked for those not attending the conference. Book here
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All Day:
Conference Marketplace
Sunday 30th March
Explore the world of red squirrel conservation on this half-day excursion led by Dr. Bethany Smith . Whether you're a student, conservationist, or nature enthusiast, this event offers an exclusive opportunity to learn about the unique challenges of protecting red squirrels in North Wales.
Dr Bethany (Beth) Smith is a Postdoctoral Research Assistant at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), specialising in applying decision science support tools to inform endangered species recovery and biodiversity management strategies.
Beth is also interested in the use of non-invasive methods to monitor wildlife and how these tools can be used to facilitate coexistence between people and wildlife. In her current role at ZSL, Beth is focusing on developing a National Recovery Strategy for red squirrels in England, as well as collaborating on several rewilding initiatives and translocation projects. In addition, Beth is an active member of the Mammal Society’s Scientific Advisory Committee and delivers training on structured decision making for the IUCN.
Her academic background includes a PhD from Nottingham Trent University on the use of livestock guarding dogs, an MRes in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation from Imperial College London, and a BA in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge.
Although Beth hasn't been involved in the red squirrel work on Anglesey, she has spent the last 2 years deep in red squirrel research and is happy to answer as many questions as she can on the day whilst hoping for some sightings of the little ones themselves!
During the trip you will visit Treborth Botanic Garden and the Dingle LNR on Anglesey. The walk will be mostly flat but requires being outdoors for several hours. Be prepared for unpredictable weather.
Ticket prices are reduced for conference attendees - you will be sent a promo code directly from the Mammal Society. If you've not received this please email us on conference@themammalsociety.org.
Conference Marketplace
Friday & Saturday - all day
More information coming soon.
