Ariel Heswall
Who am I?
Selamat datang
Hi there! Lovely to meet you. My name is Ariel-Micaiah Heswall. I am currently a PhD student at the University of Auckland studying seabird sensory ecology.
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I was born and raised in a small little country in South East Asia in Brunei Darussalem. I can speak a little bit of the local Malay language and enjoy learning about the vast culture. While I grew up in Brunei, I discovered an array of wonderful and vibrant wildlife which would shape my passion in animal conservation.
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I moved to New Zealand to complete my undergraduate in Marine Science at the University of Auckland. There, my curiosity for seabirds bloomed especially from a sensory ecological and behavioural perspective. This was thanks to my amazing supervisor Dr. Anne Gaskett! I went on to complete my Honour's on seabird sensory ecology looking at different sizes of sensory features and morphology in relation to attraction towards fishing vessels.
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Currently I am undertaking a PhD studying the threats to seabirds from their own sensory perspective. This includes studying light attraction, seabird fallout and ingestion of plastic colours using seabird sensory ecology.
Hobbies and Experiences
Growing up in Brunei Darussalem I enjoyed going outdoors into the rainforest. I learned how to ride horses and sail for over a decade, competing in local races at my yacht club at the time. I also love dancing and took ballet lessons from a young age and various other forms of dance.
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I volunteered for the NZ Department of Conservation in their Argentine Ant project in 2018 on Great Mercury Island. In 2018 I have also collaborated with the University of Auckland's Department of Computer Sciences and Marine Science department to research on the productivity of macromona in the Whangateau Estuary.
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I was employed in the catering and hospitality industry from 2018-2020. Since November 2020 I have had a summer job and have been volunteering at BirdCare Aotearoa, a DOC permitted avian rehabilitation centre, tending and caring for the sick or injured birds.
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I am also improving my bird banding skills and am a level 1 bander and have banded over 30 seabirds and 20 terrestrial birds. I have been supervised under Dr. Kristal Cain, John Stewart and James Russel.
I am also a communications officer for the Pacific Seabird Group assisting with their social media, particularly the Instagram page.
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I am also the research coordinator for BirdCare Aotearoa helping to coordinate any research occurring at the rehabilitation centre.
Trainings, Awards and Associations
Trainings:
Bird Banding Course (June 2022) - learned to band birds
Outdoor First Aid (exp June 2023).
Learn Bird Care course (April 2021) - I know how to perform gavage and give medicines to birds as well as tie bandages.
Frontline Wildlife Intensive Workshop in May 2021 learning about being a frontline worker for bird rehabilitation.
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Awards:
Best student oral presentation award (PhD category) at the Pacific Seabird Conference 2022.
The University of Auckland Faculty of Science Sustainability Research Award 2019
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Associations:
Birds NZ
Pacific Seabird Group
Australasian Society for Animal Behaviour
Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of New Zealand
