Anna Weyher is the Principal Investigator and founder of the Kasanka Baboon Project and currently the only scientist conducting research on the Kinda baboons. Anna has been studying the Kinda baboon (Papio kindae) in Kasanka National Park, Zambia, specifically focusing on social behavior, adult male-female, female-female, and male-male relationships. The three objectives of her research are to: 1) Systematically collect the first data of the behavior and biology of Kinda baboons and focus on their unique male-female relationships 2)Determine relatedness among all of the animals in the group and compare this to observed social interactions. This will be accomplished through microsatellite analysis of fecal samples 3) Set-up a long-term research site dedicated to the study and conservation of the Kinda baboon, and 4) Build capacity of Zambians working for Kasanka National Park, the Zambian Wildlife Authority, and the local community through collaboration, mentorship, and direct involvement in their science, environmental education, and conservation programs.
Anna's research was funded by a Fulbright Grant from the U.S. State Department, and grants from the American Society of Primatology, Lambda Alpha, Idea Wild, the Jarman Foundation, Washington University in St. Louis, and most recently by the P.E.O. Society.
Currently Anna is back in the United States working on publishing her results. She visits Zambia at least two times per year to continue collecting data. Since 2012 the Project has hired volunteer Project Managers, and maintained the jobs of the scouts and camp manager already employed. The project manager, along with Marley and Kennedy, follows the baboons 20 days per month and continues to collect data. She also spends at least 5 days a month actively running our community projects.
Click here to see Anna’s CV