KZ: Hi Dr Tahneal! Did you have any hobbies as a child that gave you skills you use at work?

T: I always loved animals and being outdoors as a child. In school, I loved science and focused on these subjects in Year 11 and 12. While doing my science degree at university, I did lots of volunteering and courses to get experience working with wild animals, which helped progress my career as an ecologist.

KZ: What inspired your decision to become an ecologist?

T: I’ve loved animals for as long as I can remember, and always knew I wanted to work with them. As I got older, I realised I was passionate about conservation of Australia native animals and began pursuing this interest which led me to ecology and platypuses.

KZ: What has been the personal highlight of your career so far?

T: In 2023, the Platypus Conservation Initiative reintroduced platypuses to the Royal National Park in Sydney, where they had been locally extinct for 20 years. When we did follow up surveys this year, we captured a juvenile platypus, which means that the animals are breeding in the park! This is a huge success for the project, and provides hope for the future of this population.

KZ: Do you have any advice for K-Zoners who want to be an ecologist?

T: Get outdoors as much as you can, and if you’re interested in animals or plants or the outside world, get involved in science or initiatives that help you pursue those passions. Stay curious and have fun!

Want to read the main interview with Dr Tahneal Hawke? Grab the July 'Epic Explorers' issue, out now!