Sofia Lunde Kjærland

I am a primatologist with a deep passion for conservation and animal behavior. My academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in social anthropology, during which I studied in Costa Rica and fell in love with the local wildlife, inspired by those dedicated to protecting the forest and its inhabitants. This passion eventually led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Primate Conservation at Oxford Brookes University. During my MSc, I studied chimpanzees in Zambia, concentrating on the well-being of semi-wild individuals and their social dynamics during the introduction of new members into an existing group. My research emphasized primate social interactions and the observation of abnormal behavior. My interests lie particularly in great apes, human-wildlife conflict, and the illegal bushmeat and pet trade. I joined the LuiKotale Bonobo Project as a research assistant in December 2024, contributing to the long-term study of bonobos in their natural habitat—an aspiration I've held for many years.