Dr Markus Gusset

Originally from Switzerland, I have conducted most of my research on the behaviour, ecology and conservation of carnivores throughout southern and eastern Africa. My work inter alia included a PhD study on the re-introduction of African wild dogs in South Africa and a postdoctoral study on the large carnivore guild in Botswana's Okavango Delta. Currently, I am a Research Associate at the University of Oxford, continuing my work on African carnivores.

Selected Publications

Gusset, M., Ryan, S.J., Hofmeyr, M., Van Dyk, G., Davies-Mostert, H.T., Graf, J.A., Owen, C., Szykman, M., Macdonald, D.W., Monfort, S.L., Wildt, D.E., Maddock, A.H., Mills, M.G.L., Slotow, R. & Somers, M.J. (2008) Efforts going to the dogs? Evaluating attempts to re-introduce endangered wild dogs in South Africa. Journal of Applied Ecology 45: 100–108.

Rasmussen, G.S.A., Gusset, M., Courchamp, F. & Macdonald, D.W. (2008) Achilles' heel of sociality revealed by energetic poverty trap in cursorial hunters. American Naturalist 172: 508–518.

Gusset, M., Jakoby, O., Müller, M.S., Somers, M.J., Slotow, R. & Grimm, V. (2009) Dogs on the catwalk: modelling re-introduction and translocation of endangered wild dogs in South Africa. Biological Conservation 142: 2774–2781.

Gusset, M. & Macdonald, D.W. (2010) Group size effects in cooperatively breeding African wild dogs. Animal Behaviour 79: 425–428.

Somers, M.J., Graf, J.A., Szykman, M., Slotow, R. & Gusset, M. (2008) Dynamics of a small re-introduced population of wild dogs over 25 years: Allee effects and the implications of sociality for endangered species' recovery. Oecologia 158: 239–247.

Graf, J.A., Gusset, M., Reid, C., Janse van Rensburg, S., Slotow, R. & Somers, M.J. (2006) Evolutionary ecology meets wildlife management: artificial group augmentation in the re-introduction of endangered African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus). Animal Conservation 9: 398–403.

Gusset, M., Maddock, A.H., Gunther, G.J., Szykman, M., Slotow, R., Walters, M. & Somers, M.J. (2008) Conflicting human interests over the re-introduction of endangered wild dogs in South Africa. Biodiversity and Conservation 17: 83–101.

McNutt, J.W. & Gusset, M. (2012) Declining body size in an endangered large mammal. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 105: 8–12.

Gusset, M., Slotow, R. & Somers, M.J. (2006) Divided we fail: the importance of social integration for the re-introduction of endangered African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus). Journal of Zoology, London 270: 502–511.

Gusset, M., Stewart, G.B., Bowler, D.E. & Pullin, A.S. (2010) Wild dog reintroductions in South Africa: a systematic review and cross-validation of an endangered species recovery programme. Journal for Nature Conservation 18: 230–234.

Gusset, M., Swarner, M.J., Mponwane, L., Keletile, K. & McNutt, J.W. (2009) Human–wildlife conflict in northern Botswana: livestock predation by endangered African wild dog Lycaon pictus and other carnivores. Oryx 43: 67–72.

Lagendijk, D.D.G. & Gusset, M. (2008) Human–carnivore coexistence on communal land bordering the Greater Kruger Area, South Africa. Environmental Management 42: 971–976.

My recent research interests include, but are not limited to, applying theory from behavioural ecology to conservation practice, re-introduction biology and human–wildlife conflict issues.