WildCRU

What WildCRU does

WildCRU (Wildlife Conservation Research Unit) is the wildlife conservation research unit of the University of Oxford's Department of Biology, founded in 1986 by Professor David Macdonald and led since 2022 by Professor Amy Dickman. The unit conducts evidence-based, interdisciplinary conservation research across 9 thematic areas (including human-wildlife conflict, conservation recovery, controversial conservation, and wildlife trade) and species-specific programs for lions, jaguars, clouded leopards, Ethiopian wolves, African wild dogs, tigers, and other taxa. Its technology stack combines camera trapping, GPS satellite telemetry, satellite imagery, genetic analysis, habitat suitability modelling, population viability analysis, spatial ecology and landscape genetics, acoustic monitoring, and AI-based species identification, with the 'Connecting Landscapes' Decision Support System as a flagship practitioner-facing platform for wildlife connectivity modelling.

WildCRU operates across 15 countries with 50 conservation initiatives at national, regional, and global levels, partnering with government conservation authorities (Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, Sabah Forestry Department, Uganda Wildlife Authority), NGOs and foundations (Born Free, Panthera, National Geographic, African Parks, IUCN SSC), and local communities in field programs. Its principal revenue sources are institutional funding from the University of Oxford, research grants and donations from foundations and high-net-worth individuals (notably Dr Thomas Kaplan through the Recanati-Kaplan Centre), and tuition from the Recanati-Kaplan Postgraduate Diploma in International Wildlife Conservation Practice and Oxford DPhil/PhD programs. Outputs include peer-reviewed publications, policy briefings that inform CITES and IUCN Red List assessments, and community-based conservation outcomes. Since founding, WildCRU has trained 317 Masters, PhD, and Diploma students from over 40 countries.

The unit is not a commercial entity. It is structured as an academic research group within Oxford, with no independent revenue disclosure, no subsidiaries, and no fundraising rounds. Strategic relevance sits in three areas: (1) the postgraduate training and Diploma program that builds the global pipeline of conservation practitioners; (2) field programs that generate outcomes measurable in livestock losses halved, thousands of rural households reached, and direct policy influence on wildlife trade; and (3) the data and talent flywheel that compounds over 40 years of continuous operation.

Name

WildCRU

Legal name

Wildlife Conservation Research Unit

Website

https://wildcru.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WildCRU is the University of Oxford's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, conducting evidence-based conservation research, training postgraduate and Diploma students, and operating community-based field programs across 15 countries in partnership with governments, NGOs, and Oxford.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Research

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conservation & Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (BPAGAIAI), Biodiversity Baseline Studies & Long-Term Monitoring Programs (EUAHAHAE), Wildlife & Animal Care Volunteering (EDAIAGAE)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation research
• Conservation biology
• Biodiversity research
• Human-wildlife conflict
• Species monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Abingdon

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. University of Oxford Core Funding: WildCRU is part of the University of Oxford's Department of Biology and receives institutional funding from the university.
2. Research Grants and Donations: Funding from foundations, NGOs, government agencies, and individual donors including Dr Thomas Kaplan, Born Free Foundation, National Geographic, Robertson Foundation, Panthera, and others.
3. Postgraduate Diploma Tuition: The Recanati-Kaplan Centre Postgraduate Diploma in International Wildlife Conservation Practice provides training. Financial support through internal scholarships and bursaries is available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

WildCRU (Wildlife Conservation Research Unit) is an academic research unit within the University of Oxford's Department of Biology that conducts evidence-based, interdisciplinary wildlife conservation research across multiple continents. It runs species-specific programs (lions, jaguars, clouded leopards, Ethiopian wolves, African wild dogs, tigers), delivers postgraduate training through the Recanati-Kaplan Centre Diploma and DPhil programs, and provides policy-relevant scientific evidence to governments, NGOs and international bodies. It also develops conservation tools including the Connecting Landscapes Decision Support System.

Product overview

WildCRU (Wildlife Conservation Research Unit) is an academic research unit at Oxford University's Department of Biology, not a commercial product company. It operates as a pioneering conservation research organization offering a portfolio of interconnected services: research programs across 9 thematic areas and multiple species-specific initiatives (lion, jaguar, clouded leopard, Ethiopian wolf conservation), postgraduate training through the Recanati-Kaplan Diploma program, and doctoral supervision. The flagship technology offering is the 'Connecting Landscapes' Decision Support System—an online platform providing wildlife connectivity modeling. WildCRU produces impact reports documenting conservation outcomes and engages in policy advising, community-based conservation, and species monitoring through techniques including camera trapping.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WildCRU Research and Conservation Programmes Evidence-based, interdisciplinary wildlife conservation research organised around nine themes (Changing Landscapes, Communicating Conservation, Conflict and Coexistence, Conservation Recovery, Controversial Conservation, Essential Knowledge, Health Welfare and Ethics, Incentivising Conservation, Wildlife Use and Misuse) and species-specific programmes for African wild dogs, clouded leopards, Ethiopian wolves, European badgers, hedgehogs, jaguars, lions, mink, Scottish wildcats and tigers.
• Recanati-Kaplan Centre Postgraduate Diploma in International Wildlife Conservation Practice An 8-month residential postgraduate diploma established in 2008 that trains aspiring conservationists from biodiversity-rich countries in wildlife monitoring techniques, population management, and conservation action. Over 137 students from 54 countries have completed the programme, with scholarships and bursaries available.
• PhD / DPhil Research Programme Doctoral research training at the University of Oxford, with over 160 conservation scientists trained across fieldwork, laboratory experiments and data analysis projects.
• Connecting Landscapes Decision Support System A user-friendly online decision support system that provides access to advanced wildlife connectivity modelling to optimise trade-offs between conservation and development. Spans Africa, South America and Asia with focus on lions, jaguars and clouded leopards.

Quantifiable outcome

• Livestock losses halved in programme areas
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Sabah Forestry DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Collaborative study on Bornean ferret badger providing the most comprehensive assessment to date of this endangered species through camera trap surveys.
• University of Oxford, Department of BiologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWildCRU is an integral part of the University of Oxford's Department of Biology, headquartered in the Life and Mind Building. The partnership provides institutional support, academic framework, and access to Oxford's resources and reputation.
• Pembroke College, OxfordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPembroke College is a key supporting college for WildCRU. Dr Thomas Kaplan's longstanding generosity has helped sustain pioneering research and establish the Recanati-Kaplan Minerva Institute.
• Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Large Carnivore Survey of Ethiopia assessing status of lions, leopards, cheetahs, and African wild dogs across Ethiopia.
• Sabah ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Bornean Carnivore Programme conducting research on endangered carnivores in Sabah's mountain landscapes.
• Born Free FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting lion conservation work and Large Carnivore Survey of Ethiopia. Funding partner for conservation programs.
• Panthera CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner for wild cat conservation. Provides funding and collaboration for jaguar research including Gui Alvarenga's DPhil research.
• African Parks NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on lion conservation in West, Central and Horn of Africa, particularly in areas with conservation challenges due to political and economic factors.
• Lady Margaret Hall, OxfordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting college for WildCRU alongside Pembroke College.
• University of AntwerpmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with University of Antwerp on Ethiopian lion conservation research.
• University of Mekelle and University of HawassamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdditional academic collaborations in Ethiopia through Professor Gidey Yirga.
• World Animal ProtectionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on ball python trade research exploring supply from collectors and farmers in Togo and Benin to inform EU trade decisions.
• Global Wildlife Program (World Bank)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of first International Conference on Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence. World Bank-led initiative supporting wildlife conservation.
• IUCN SSC Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence Specialist GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganized inaugural conference on human-wildlife conflict. WildCRU is a key collaborator in this IUCN specialist group.
• Lion LandscapescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWildCRU-affiliated project and NGO co-founded by Amy Dickman. Works to ensure global value of wildlife conservation translates to local level benefits for people living closest to wildlife.
• Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term carnivore monitoring program in Zambia. Dylan Feldmeier is a member and collaborates on snare detection and prevention research.
• Bornean Carnivore ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWildCRU-affiliated program studying clouded leopards and other key species for nearly 20 years. Led by Dr Andrew Hearn.
• Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme (EWCP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-running program working on sustainable livelihood projects with communities and local authorities in Ethiopia's Afroalpine Highlands since 2016.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Fauna & Flora International (FFI): Long-established UK-headquartered conservation NGO operating in over 40 countries with a strong focus on threatened species and evidence-based programmes. Comparable to WildCRU in research-led approach, species focus, and geographic breadth.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): The world's largest conservation organization with operations in 100+ countries. Comparable to WildCRU in evidence-based species conservation, policy advocacy (CITES, IUCN), and global field footprint, though at vastly greater scale and broader mandate.
• Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI): US-based conservation research arm of the Smithsonian Institution, conducting wildlife conservation science globally. Comparable to WildCRU in academic-affiliated conservation science, training programmes, and species-focused research.
• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS): Major global wildlife conservation NGO operating field programmes across dozens of countries with a focus on science-based conservation. Comparable to WildCRU in species focus, evidence-based approach, and global field footprint, though WCS also runs a portfolio of public zoos and aquariums.
• Zoological Society of London (ZSL): UK-based scientific and conservation organization running conservation programmes globally while operating London and Whipsnade Zoos. Comparable to WildCRU in research-led wildlife conservation and conservation capacity building, with broader public-facing zoo operations.

Direct peers

• Panthera: The world's leading wild cat conservation organization, focused on ensuring the future of all wild cats. Directly comparable to WildCRU in big cat research focus (lion, jaguar, clouded leopard, tiger, snow leopard), and an active WildCRU funding/collaboration partner.
• African Parks Network: Conservation NGO managing protected areas across Africa in partnership with governments. Direct WildCRU partner, comparable in carnivore conservation focus, large-landscape management, and engagement with African governments.
• Born Free Foundation: UK-based wildlife charity focused on keeping wildlife in the wild, with strong lion conservation programmes and policy advocacy. Direct WildCRU partner, comparable in species focus (lions, large carnivores), community-based conservation, and policy engagement.
• Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust: Jersey-based conservation organization running species recovery programmes globally with strong emphasis on training conservation practitioners from biodiversity-rich nations. Highly comparable to WildCRU in capacity-building approach (Dr Egil Dröge has prior Durrell affiliation) and species recovery focus.

Regional players

• Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF): Namibia-based conservation organization dedicated to saving the cheetah, founded by Dr Laurie Marker (a previous WildCRU Director collaborator). Comparable in carnivore conservation focus, community-based approach, and long-term species monitoring.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WildCRU_Ox
• Instagraminstagram.com/wildcru_oxford
• Facebookfacebook.com/WildCRUOxford
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wildcru

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WildCRU