Hi, this is Jonny!

My name is Jonathan Gnanapragasam, known by all as Jonny. I am a Wildlife
Conservationist. My passion in life has been to work towards conserving endangered animals. My motivation and love of wildlife comes from my family. My earliest childhood memories revolve around animals who were precious family members, not mere pets. My family are committed to conserving and protecting animals in some small way. Our home is a mini zoo and sanctuary for animals. When word spread about my family’s willingness to provide a sanctuary for animals, strangers began bringing animals they had rescued but could not take care of. We have rescued, nurtured and released injured animals. With the personal experience I gained in taking care of these animal friends my determination to protect and conserve fauna is a key motivating force in my life.

 

I hold a Masters degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Queensland, Australia (2018) and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science (Wildlife and Conservation Biology) from Deakin University, Australia (2016).

I love working in the field and have trained to work in close proximity conditions with wildlife. My main areas of interest are human-wildlife conflict management and animal behaviour. Other areas of interest include animal diseases, anti-poaching and anti-trafficking activities, captive breeding, rehabilitation and predator ecology.

My field experience includes animal trapping and handling, management of pest plants and
animals and related eradication programs, radio tracking and GPS methods, GIS, veterinary
surgery procedures and human-wildlife conflict resolutions, as well as data collection, running logistics and administrative duties for field activities, teaching and statistical analysis. I have also worked as a citizen scientist and supervised staff and volunteers on conservation projects.

I have worked extensively with various animals from Invertebrates to Mammals in Australia,
Mauritius and Sri Lanka. Iconic species I have worked with include Sri Lankan Leopards and
Elephants, the endangered Bridled nail-tail Wallabies, Humpback whales, Humpback dolphins, Dugongs, Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Turtles, Sharks and Rays in the Great Barrier Reef and all bird species in Sri Lanka and in Mauritius particularly the endangered Echo Parakeets.

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I am currently working for the South Australian Government as a Senior Assessment Officer - Exploration, based in Adelaide, Australia. My role is to facilitate the administration of the Mining Act 1971 on exploration leases and to protect the environment from weeds, erosion, feral animals while protecting threatened species, their habitats and groundwater ecosystems.

For more information, check out my LinkedIN or Facebook profiles or contact me by
Email: jonathan.gnanapragasam16@gmail.com