Dr Toby Travers
Current research
I’m studying how the eradication of invasive rabbits from subantarctic Macquarie Island affected the diet and breeding of a native predator, the Brown Skua.
What my project involves
My work includes nest monitoring, GPS tracking, stable isotope analysis (including compound-specific stable isotope analysis), and the use of a diverse suite of modelling techniques to investigate longitudinal datasets and the bottom-up effects of eradication.
Fun trivia about my research
The word ‘skua’ comes from the Faroese name for Great Skua, skúgvur, and my mother-in-law happens to be from the Faroe Islands.
Research project in a haiku
Rabbits caused harm
Now removed, the island returns
Skuas are hungry
Research-related interests
My primary research interest is applied ecology for conservation management, with a focus on top-order predators and their prey.Although, I’m also interested in many aspects of ecology and natural history including: behavioural ecology, geology, desert ecology, megafauna extinction, marsupial ecology, birds of tropical south-east Asia and scientific illustration.
About me
I’m from Fremantle, Western Australia and moved to Tasmania to study with the M-Pred Lab. Outside of work, I have a passion for the deserts and coastlines of Western Australia where I’ve spent plenty of time whittling down my list of favourite surfing, sailing and camping spots.
Previous work I've done
Prior to my current research, I completed an Honours degree at the University of Tasmania studying the predator-awareness of long-nosed potoroos on Maria Island following the introduction of a novel predator, Tasmanian Devils. I have also worked as a geologist, and with the Tasmanian State Government on fur-seal surveys, shearwater surveys, deploying GPS loggers on Shy Albatross and installing artificial nests in Shy Albatross colonies.
