Above picture: Liezl Pretorius with King Penguins and Southern Elephant Seals on Marion Island; photograph by Maëlle Connan
The Mouse-Free Marion (MFM) Project takes pleasure in welcoming Dr Liezl Pretorius as one of its two newly appointed Research and Reporting Officers. Liezl, who has twice overwintered on Marion Island as a seal biologist, has a professional background as both a Medical Doctor (MBChB) and a Veterinarian (BVSc), both earned from the University of Pretoria. Subsequently she received an MSc Zoology for her work on Southern Ocean fur seals from the same university, where she is now registered for a PhD with the dissertation title “Indicators of wildlife and ecosystem health at sub-Antarctic Marion and Prince Edward Islands.” As well as her two years on Marion, she has conducted research on nearby Prince Edward Island, and worked with landbirds on Gough Island in the South Atlantic.
Liezl’s experience working with seabirds extends from the albatrosses and giant petrels at risk from the introduced House Mouse on Marion Island to working with Endangered African Penguins as Senior Manager of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust and Veterinarian at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary. From 2018 to 2023 she served as a member of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment’s Prince Edward Islands Advisory Committee.
Liezl Pretorius with the 19th Century sealer’s trypot at Bullard Beach on Marion Island; photograph by Marike Voysey
Liezl writes to MFM News on her role with the project: “As a MFM Project Research and Reporting Officer, my role is to support the development of the fundraising pipeline through various activities, including corporate engagement and fundraising initiatives. I will also be assisting the Project Manager, Project Development Officer and the whole MFM Project Team with technical, research, administrative and other aspects, as required. I believe that Marion Island is incredibly special and fully worthy of our protection. I am excited about contributing my experience and deep-rooted passion for the island that dates from my first overwintering expedition in 2014/2015”.
The MFM Project Team extends a warm welcome to Liezl and looks forward to working with her as we progress towards the eradication of Marion Island’s albatross-killing mice.
John Cooper, News Correspondent, Mouse-Free Marion Project, 30
A Southern Giant Petrel pair on Marion Island; photograph by Janine Schoombie and poster design by Michelle Risi
July 2024
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The Mouse-Free Marion Project is a registered non-profit company (No. 2020/922433/08) in South Africa, established to eradicate the invasive albatross-killing mice on Marion Island in the Southern Ocean. The project was initiated by BirdLife South Africa and the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. Upon successful completion, the project will restore the critical breeding habitat of over two million seabirds, many globally threatened, and improve the island’s resilience to a warming climate. For more information or to support the project please visit mousefreemarion.org.
