Catch this week's episode of The Sci-Files, where Daniel and Chelsie interview Claire Hoffmann. Claire is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University, who studies the conflict between humans and large carnivores in East Africa.

In this region, in East Africa, carnivores such as lions, leopards, and hyenas eat a lot of livestock. The livestock owners often retaliate by killing carnivores. This conflict places a lot of pressure on both human and wildlife communities.

Claire addresses this issue by using new technologies such as motion-activated infrared cameras and acoustic recorders. She also uses traditional data collection methods such as vegetation surveys. Her study uses the data from these approaches to identify patterns of where, when, and how carnivores attack livestock. More specifically, she focuses on how we might be able to use these patterns to predict and prevent future attacks on livestock. This would reduce the rates of conflict which the loss of livestock triggers. The goal of her research is to minimize the adverse effects on both carnivore and human communities in that region.

If you’re interested in talking about your MSU research on the radio or nominating a student, please email Chelsie and Danny at [email protected]. Check The Sci-Files out on Twitter @SciFiles89FM and Facebook!