Dr. Gaelle Fehlmann

My research focuses on how species exhibit behavioural adaptations to human altered landscapes, with an emphasis on urban species. A growing literature on the subject reports adaptations in foxes or sea gulls across Europe, or even in the more charismatic puma in South America or Singapore’s monkeys. Excellent studies and reviews have described why some species seem to succeed in human modified environments while some others don’t, but only a few focus on the actual behavioural processes. I am interested in understanding the different trade-offs species are exposed to when living in such environments, and how they can actually thrive in these environments.

In doing so I link spatial and movement ecology to optimal foraging theories and social interactions using a combination of both cutting edge technology (mostly GPS, accelerometers) and behavioural observation with good old pen and paper. Shifting from Cape Town’s world famous baboons (https://www.shoalgroup.org/our-stuff) to Sydney’s incredible cockatoos (https://www.orn.mpg.de/3880844/research-group-aplin) my current aim is to uncover how movement ecology and social interactions mediate the colonisation of a new niche. 

Human-wildlife interaction ⦁ Urban ecology ⦁ Movement ecology ⦁ Adaptation

Research Interests

Behavioural adaptations, behavioural ecology, movement ecology, human-wildlife conflict, conservation biology, wildlife management.