Dr Danielle Keys

I am a seabird researcher and conservationist with a PhD in Zoology, and my work focuses on the ecology, movement, and demography of marine top predators, particularly seabirds and the ocean systems that support them. Essentially, I spend my time figuring out what seabirds do, where they go, and how their lives are affected by the changing ocean around them. I have conducted field research in remote environments, including Marion Island, Seychelles, Réunion, Bird Island, and the Kalahari (even though the Kalahari is far from marine, it often feels like an island in its own right), contributing to long-term monitoring and conservation projects.

My experience includes seabird handling and ringing, wildlife tracking, behavioural observation, and working in physically demanding field settings. I am especially drawn to seabirds because they sit at the intersection of ocean and land, and their lives reveal powerful stories about environmental change, resilience, and exploration. My fieldwork has taken me to truly isolated places and some of the wildest environments, allowing me to experience natural, largely untouched systems that fill me with hope for our future if we protect what we can.

While my primary work is in research and conservation, I am deeply passionate about educating people about marine life and helping them understand the value of seabirds and the ecosystems they depend on. I believe that sharing knowledge, field experiences, and real-world research can foster stronger connections between people and the natural world and inspire meaningful conservation action.