‘Ringing’ in the new year

Posted onDecember 8, 2023|Canada's New Noah, Canada's New Noahs, In the News

Since 1988, the Canada’s New Noah program has given young biologists in Canada the opportunity of a lifetime. Each year, Wildlife Preservation Canada selects a post-secondary graduate from dozens of applicants across Canada for the single, coveted position on the tropical island of Mauritius in the western Indian Ocean to complete a program featuring hands-on management of some of the most endangered species in the world. Sarah Falconer is WPC’s 2023 Canada’s New Noah and reports on her experiences.

As I write this, I am looking out my window at the snow swirling to the ground in southern Ontario. A huge change from the sandy beaches of Mauritius I was enjoying just a few short weeks ago! Reflecting on my journey as the 32nd New Noah, I can truly appreciate all the useful skills I have learned that I now have in my toolbelt as a conservation biologist. It would take too long to share all the new knowledge I have acquired, but I can give you a small sense of some of the skills I have developed.

One of the highlights of my experience was being trained on how to use GIS during my time in the DESMAN course in Jersey. GIS, or geographic information systems, is the art of incorporating data into maps. While on paper this might sound mundane, it’s applications are endless! Whether it’s mapping optimal habitats for species relocations or forecasting the impacts of climate change, GIS is undoubtedly a skill I can apply back in Canada. 

Transitioning from the computer lab to the field, I developed a wealth of practical skills that I can now use on a variety of species. For example, capture-mark-recapture is a versatile survey method that can be used to estimate population sizes, monitor the health of a population, or detect changes in an ecosystem, to name a few purposes. This involves catching individuals multiple times, which sometimes (though not always) requires being able to tell apart individual animals. This can be incredibly challenging and so requires some creativity. In Mauritius I learned how to do this a few ways, including, as Beyonce would say, “putting a ring on it”.

Ringing – referred to as ‘banding’ in Canada – is a globally recognized method for bird identification. From tropical seabirds in Mauritius to Loggerhead Shrikes in Canada, the general method stays the same. In Mauritius, ringing involves fitting a small, metal ring with an individual ID code gently around the birds leg. Alternatively, colours can be used instead of ID codes. The rings are incredibly light and fit carefully so they do not restrict the bird’s movement or behaviour. These unique ID rings allow us to know exactly who’s who after each capture. 

Being a conservation biologist sometimes feels like you are navigating overwhelming odds. Participating in the New Noah program not only gave me the skills and knowledge to tilt those odds in our favour, but it also provided an incredible boost to my morale. From networking with a globally diverse cohort working in conservation on the DESMAN course, to participating in inspiring examples of restoration and rewilding in Mauritius, the experience was a powerful reminder that there are people and projects that are making a difference! As the 32nd New Noah, I feel more confident in my ability to affect positive conservation outcomes in Canada. I am so excited to move forward with applying these skills and knowledge to safeguard biodiversity in my home country!

Sarah Falconer

Canada’s New Noah

Sarah is WPC’s 32nd New Noah. She is building upon a wealth of conservation knowledge that she has gained working in Canadian conservation in British Columbia and Manitoba through this hands-on training program with some of the most endangered species in the world.

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