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incredulousTopic: Frog Blog Profiles
Mr. Wilkinson's Research site about his fascinating work with the European toad (Bufo bufo) is a great place to start when looking at the vast contributions the English have made towards amphibian research and conservation. I contacted him about doing an online interview and here is what he had to say.
Top Ten Questions on the Board
Wendell's Frog Blog Online Interview
1)WFB: Name, Rank and Serial Number. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? Where did you go to school? Maybe a little about your family? (Married? Siblings?) Hobbies?
JW: I was born in Shropshire in the English Midlands, a beautiful County with low population density: rolling hills in the south and meres (large lakes) in the north. The town I was born in was also the birthplace of Charles Darwin (Shrewsbury) but I'm really from the village of Dawley, known really only for being home to the first person to swim the English Channel (Captain Matthew Webb). I'm not married and have no siblings. Outside of work I'm into antiques, natural history photography and classic British cars!
John provided me with this photo of him radio tracking.
2)WFB: What sparked your interest in amphibians? What is your favorite amphibian, and why?
JW: I'm lucky to be working on my favourite amphibian for my PhD! The European toad is an enigmatic animal with great character. They used to breed in fishponds near my parents' home and I think that's what got me interested. Sadly, they seem to have gone from those ponds now...
3)WFB: Do you keep any pets?
JW: I've kept a lot of amphibians and reptiles over the years but at the moment just have some rescued tortoises - they live with my folks whilst I'm on fieldwork. Pet-keeping gives people an appreciation of the natural world but I hate to see garish colour "morphs" of reptiles and frogs for sale and it annoys me that endangered species can still be found in the trade.
4)WFB: How are you involved with amphibians and their conservation?
JW: I was International Coordinator of the IUCN Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force for 8 years and only left to do my PhD. Toads here on the island of Jersey (yes, that's the small British island off the coast of France, the one the US state was named after!) have been declining for several decades - they used to be VERY common here (the islanders are called "crapauds", the local name for toads, and there is a statue to a toad in the capital, St. Helier). I'm looking at population biology, breeding habits, genetics, habitat use, radio tracking etc. etc. etc. These Jersey toads behave very differently from their counterparts in England and France...!
5)WFB: How did you get involved in this?
JW: See above!
6)WFB: What has been the most fulfilling part of working with amphibians for you?
JW: I enjoy doing fieldwork after being in an office for a long time. It's also important to me that the results of my PhD will be used for conservation, rather than just being "pure" science without obvious practical purpose.
7)WFB: What would be the best way for others to get involved as you have?
JW: If you're just starting out, get a biology or ecology degree if you can. If you're already in IT or retail management and longing for the outdoors, volunteer with a local toad crossing patrol or join a local wildlife organisation where you can help dig ponds and/or create habitats.
8)WFB: How did you learn about amphibians to do what you do?
JW: Observation, mostly. Then I specialized in amphibians for my Honours degree and I've been working with them ever since!
9)WFB: What is the most important thing you want others to know?
JW: Regarding amphibians: remember their terrestrial habitat is just as important as the ponds they breed in!
-Just generally: Remember everything you do every day has a profound impact on the natural world and only you can reduce that impact. Whatever the politicians try to tell you, climate change is real and it's here, now. Maybe buy a house on a hill...
10)WFB: Do you have anything else you would like to share? (websites, contact info, other affiliations)
JW: Check out www.thetoadsite.co.uk for pics and links. If anyone conducting herpetological conservation research would like to establish mutual links, drop me an e-mail!
I would like to thank Mr. Wilkinson for this wonderful interview. Your work with DAPTF and through your research, you are helping to make the world a better place for amphibians, which in turn makes it better for everything. Thank you for your efforts and dedication.
Posted by wendellsfrogblog
at 11:47 AM EDT
