About Dr. Cat Black
Dr. Cat Black
PhD in Zoology, University of Oxford
I have had many 'pinch me' moments in my career– most notably, watching penguin chicks hatch before my eyes on Deception Island, an active volcano in the sub-Antarctic.
For the past 15 years I have worked as an academic researcher and sustainability lecturer, specialising in biodiversity, wildlife monitoring, and behavioural ecology. My research involved developing and validating cutting-edge technology to understand wildlife dynamics. My work combined the use of trail cameras, acoustic sensors, and machine learning to collect, manage, and analyse big data. I love big picture thinking and problem solving, so working in this field with such passionate people has been a dream. Living in a historic city in the Netherlands (Haarlem) is just an added perk.
During my PhD at the University of Oxford, I specialised in Antarctic conservation, developing methods to monitor seabirds using time-lapse cameras and citizen science. I was one of the lead scientists in the creation of a successful citizen science website, Penguin Watch, working with over 90,000 registered volunteers. During these four years, I spent over 6 months conducting fieldwork in the Antarctic region, primarily watching penguins waddle across the sea ice. As a podcast and radio junkie, one of my proudest moments was being interviewed for NPR's Weekend Edition at their NYC studio, convincing people to look over pictures of penguins. Read how I apply this research to Antarctic expedition planning.
I then began a postdoc at the University of Cambridge, using survey photo graphs to understand the age and tusk size of African elephants to inform local conservationists and reserves. I was fortunate to collaborate with the non-profit, Elephants Alive, led by their ever-inspiring director, Dr. Michelle Henley, in South Africa (west of Kruger National Park). The worked helped us to better understand elephant health and whether hunting practices are sustainable. The experience was a life long dream and allowed me to spend months in Kruger Park and the nearby Balule, Timbavati, and Klasserie game reserves.
I am also passionate about hiking, learning languages (Dutch, German, and French), and my enthusiastic dog, Remy. If you are interested in talking about travel and conservation, I would love to hear from you.
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Where Wildlife Travel Meets Conservation
The wildlife travel industry has a greenwashing problem. Every hotel now claims to be sustainable, eco-friendly, responsible, or giving back. Too often, those words mean very little.
The travel industry loves the idea of conservation, but the reality is often murkier. The difference between a lodge that truly protects wildlife and one that simply markets itself well can be enormous.
Conservation-forward travel is more important than ever. You might also hear it called regenerative or impact travel. At its best, it means nature is genuinely protected, wildlife aren’t treated as props, and the money travellers spend actually flows back into the ecosystems and communities that make these places possible.
This site is where I explore that world. I write about destinations I’ve experienced firsthand and others I’m still dreaming about. I look closely at the operators worth trusting, the conservation models that actually work, and what it really means to visit somewhere wild and leave it better than you found it.
If that sounds like your kind of travel, you’re in the right place. See how this approach works for families, solo travellers, or private groups.
I'm based in Haarlem, Netherlands.
Questions, ideas, or just want to talk penguins?
I'd love to hear from you.