Scientific Committee

CSG MOROCCO 2026 > Scientific Committee

Matthew Shirley

Dr. Shirley is a conservation scientist relying on flagship species to advance applied conservation and ecology research primarily in the West and Central African tropical forests and wetlands for the past 20 years. He employs tools ranging from molecular systematics and phylogeography, to VHF and GPS telemetry, environmental (e)DNA, drones, and distribution modeling to better understand how crocodilians, pangolins, and other species are distributed across the landscape, how they select resources, and how their basic ecologies are impacted by increasing human disturbance. His research has resulted in the recognition and description of 3 new crocodile species in Africa and a better understanding of the processes shaping their distribution, population structure, and abundance. He applies the results of this research to the design of conservation programs ensuring the future of these species populations, including conservation breeding and reintroductions, reinforcement of local national parks and wildlife management authority capacity, and training African graduate students. Dr. Shirley works with the IUCN to guide mechanisms for species trade through CITES, as well as advise CITES Parties on the impacts of trafficking on species sustainability. He is the West and Central Africa Regional Chairman of the Crocodile Specialist Group and the C-Chair for the Pangolin Specialist Group. Dr. Shirley is a National Geographic Explorer, and winner of the Castillo Prize and Future for Nature awards in recognition of his contributions to species conservation throughout West and Central Africa. He is currently a Research Assistant Professor in the Global Forensics and Justice Center at Florida International University.

Dr Ir. Gnanki Nathalie KPERA

Senior researcher at CAMES in Applied Ecology and Agricultural Innovation Systems, she is Director of the Centre Agricultural Research of the Southern Benin (CRA-Sud) at the Institut National of Agricultural Research of Benin (INRAB). She holds an interdisciplinary PhD in Animal Science and Communication and Innovation Systems in Agriculture, obtained from Wageningen University (Netherlands) in 2013.

Author of several scientific publications on African crocodile species conservation and documentary films on wildlife, she is currently co-supervising six doctoral theses in wildlife management (crocodiles, venomous snakes, marine turtles, captive wildlife species), forest animal breeding (snails) and management of community relict forest in Benin).

In 2024, she received the President's Encouragement Award from the Crocodile Specialist Group in South Africa for her scientific contributions to crocodile conservation in West and Central Africa.

Abdellah Bouazza

Professor and Researcher at the Department of Sciences et Techniques, Faculté Polydisciplinaire de Taroudant, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco. He has held a Ph.D. in Ecophysiology and Conservation Biology from Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, since 2017, with a research focus on Moroccan reptiles. Abdellah is an expert member of the IUCN’s Snake and Lizard Red List for the Maghreb. He has published several works on conservation biology and contributes as an expert to various conservation projects in Morocco. Currently, his teaching covers zoology, ecology, and conservation biology, while his research interests include herpetology and biogeography. He has led projects on human-animal conflicts, including studies on snake, snake charming practices, turtles and others reptiles.

Xander Combrink

Senior Lecturer in the Department of Nature Conservation at the Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa since 2015. His academic background covers both the social sciences (Bachelor’s) and life sciences (Master’s and PhD). He has worked in environmental education and wilderness trails and spent 14 years in the Scientific Services Division of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife at the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site. His publications include book chapters, technical reports, posters, and articles in national and international peer-reviewed journals. He has also presented papers at numerous scientific symposia across four continents. In addition to his academic contributions, he has participated in radio and television wildlife programs and he is a member of multiple professional organisations. Since 2003, he has been actively involved in the research, conservation, and management of Nile crocodiles in Southern Africa. He currently serves as the Co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Crocodile Specialist Group for East & Southern Africa.

Nicolas Mathevon

Professor at the University of Saint-Etienne, Associate Director of Studies at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes - Université Paris-Sciences-Lettres and a member of the Institut Universitaire de France. He heads a research team at the University of Saint-Etienne (CNRS, Inserm) devoted to bioacoustics. Professor Mathevon has been conducting research into acoustic communication and sound perception in crocodilians for almost 20 years, both in captivity and in the field.

LUC FOUGEIROL

Luc is a crocodile specialist who has distinguished himself through the animal parks he created, including CROCOPARC Agadir. He is a member of the Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG) of the Species Survival Commission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

As a crocodile enthusiast, Luc is committed to the preservation of endangered species. But his passion is not limited to them. He is deeply involved in the preservation of other reptile and bird species, as well as natural environments.