Acknowledgements
I would like to begin by acknowledging that the land on which my LIA took place is the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō, Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil- Waututh) and Katzie (q̓ic̓əy̓) Nations.
My Leadership In Action (LIA) has been an incredible experience, and I am very fortunate to have been supported in undertaking. I am immensely grateful to the Laidlaw Foundation and Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge, for this opportunity. I would also like to thank the Animal Behaviour and Cognition (ABC) group at the University of British Columbia (UBC) for hosting me. In particular, I would like to thank PhD Candidate Nathan Lewis as my supervisor and UBC undergraduate Amrita Veeraragavan for working alongside me.
Introduction
I spent six weeks working with the Animal Behaviour and Cognition (ABC) group at the University of British Columbia (UBC) as part of my Leadership in Action (LIA) project. This experience offered a valuable opportunity to apply contribution towards understanding human-wildlife interactions and fear responses in mesocarnivores like coyotes to foster sustainable coexistence. As a psychology student (who is generally quite indoorsy) , I found this project to be out of my comfort zone both in academic knowledge and in physical space. Overall, this was an amazing experience I was able to learn so much from; ranging from balancing Oxford Character traits such as drive and humility to academic and practical skills.
About the Animal Behaviour and Cognition (ABC) group
Human-wildlife conflicts, which are broadly defined as actions by humans or wildlife that negatively affect the other, take many forms including the spread of diseases, competition for resources and physical confrontations between wildlife and humans, pets or vehicles. Conflicts are often driven by complex environmental and socioeconomic factors originating well before the conflict. This can include human reliance on natural spaces for work and agriculture, prevalence of human activity, availability of anthropogenic and natural resources.
Sustainable, science based solutions to human-wildlife conflict
Understanding the root causes and contributing drivers of human-wildlife conflict though science enables the design of systemic solutions. Rather than applying temporary quick fixes, these approaches reduce friction and promote safer, more sustainable coexistence for both human communities and wildlife populations.
One such solution I found fascinating was creating natural sanctuaries in urban environments that give wildlife access to dedicated natural sanctuaries within urban environments. Enabling wildlife to access alternative food sources, and safe migration corridors away from densely populated residential zones. For example Toronto's 16-kilometer east-west corridor, allowing animals like deer, foxes, and coyotes travel safely across the city w
ithout entering backyards. Access to natural food sources prevent animals from relying on anthropogenic resources, reducing behaviours such as digging through dumpsters or stealing food from humans. Providing safe passage away from humans reduces the contact between animal and humans, reducing the chances of conflict such as attacks occurring. This contrasted with some of the reaction to human-wildlife conflict I saw growing up in Malaysia. My school was adjacent to a jungle and frequently had monkeys roaming the grounds. In an attempt to stop the monkeys from digging through rubbish bins and chasing students (both common occurrences) the fruit trees near the school were cut with the intention that the monkeys would move deeper into the jungle to find more fruit. However, this has the opposite impact with the monkeys now more reliant on anthropogenic resources, leading to more conflict. It is also possible the monkeys were not able to move deeper into the jungle as there were likely already other monkeys in those areas. Hence, for this experience I found it deeply fascinating how solutions which stemmed from understanding animal behaviour and a respect for nature allowed for better solutions that both improved the lives of wildlife and humans. Therefore, I hope by contributing to this understanding, my efforts add to better long term systems for lasting impacts rather than short term solutions.
Coyotes, urbanisation and fear responses
The primary project I worked on examines fear responses in mesocarnivores (particularly coyotes), toward humans and large predators along an urbanization gradient. Understanding fear responses and how they differ can help contribute to non lethal deterrent methods and with the ultimate goal of supporting coexistence between humans and urban wildlife. See below a video of me explaining the study.
To examine the fear responses, we used motion activated cameras connected to speakers to play different sounds to animals and then evaluated their responses. The sounds were human speech, wolf snarls (a natural predator) or frog croaks (a natural control). Videos of the behaviour of the animals were analysed including shifts in vigilance, flight responses, and post-exposure latency to return to the area. Urbanisation may influence fear responses in coyotes and raccoons by increasing their exposure to humans and anthropogenic disturbances, potentially leading to habituation and reduced responsiveness to human cues.
Understanding fear responses to sound can be incorporated into targeted, non-lethal deterrent systems. For example, auditory deterrents could be deployed near food waste collection points to discourage carnivores from entering specific high-risk areas at particular times. Understanding the impact of urbanisation allows solutions to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to conflict mitigation and instead tailor the deterrent strategy to the specific area where it is needed. Non-lethal strategies are important for peaceful co-existence. Urban-adapted carnivores such as coyotes and raccoons can provide ecological functions, including scavenging and consuming organic matter, influencing urban food webs, contributing to urban biodiversity and potentially regulating populations of certain prey species. Understanding animal behaviour can lead to better and safer nonlethal deterrents that reduce problematic encounters while allowing wildlife to remain in urban ecosystems.
Footage of a mother bear and cub reacting to audio of a wolf
My main involvement in the project was in three core domains 1. Coding and Equipment preparation- Programming the electronics and documenting the implementation and challenges of the software and hardware 2. Field work - scouting location and setting up devices 3. Science communication and public involvement.
Coding and documentation
Sounds were played through a FreakLabs BoomBox system, an open-source, Arduino-compatible Automated Behavioral Response (ABR) system that connects to standard wildlife camera traps to trigger audio playback and multi-modal stimuli when motion is detected. I assisted in developing and refining C++ code for the Freaklabs BoomBox devices to support current and future research initiatives. Although previous code existed, the lack of documentation made it challenging to implement. Having no prior experience with C++, I utilized Claude to decipher the codebase and draft specific commands though I found my previous experience with python proved to help me to understand the underlying logic and adapt the code effectively. Because the BoomBox is a specialized device, AI assistance was most effective when I provided structured, step-by-step instructions for troubleshooting.
One particular problem was the code on the BoomBoxs should call a library that would play the sounds in order according to the name of the sound files. However, the devices were instead playing the audio in a different order that seemed to correspond to the order the files were uploaded to the flash memory. At first, we thought the solution would be to reupload all the audio to each device one at a time in the desired order. However, this would be incredibly tedious and time-consuming. Instead, I rewrote the code so instead of playing the audio in "Index” order, the devices instead played audio in an order according to a list of numbers that contained the indices of the audio according to what the device thought the order was. For example, if it was playing the 1st desired audio 3rd, this list would instead tell the device to play audio ‘3’ 1st. While not the most elegant solution, it helped to save a lot of time from reuploading the audios. This showed me how exploring multiple solutions to a problem can be beneficial. Another challenge was it was often hard to tell if a problem was due to software or hardware problems. I found it useful to take parts separately that I knew did work to test which parts were malfunctioning. For example, there was overheating that could have been due to a problem with one of the components on the circuit board or due to a problem with the speakers. I was able to isolate the problem by taking working circuit boards and connecting them to each component to trouble shoot which parts needed replacing.
I was also able to initially learn how the devices worked thanks to Amritha who had already spent 2 months learning what versions of libraries to use and which versions of the out of the box code were compatible largely through meticulous trial and error. Only with her explanation was I able to get started with the code and electronics quickly. This process highlighted the crucial role of collaboration but also maintaining thorough, up-to-date documentation that explains not just how task-related fixes work, but also why they were implemented. To address this, Amrita and I authored a detailed technical guide recording our solutions, device behaviors, and key insights to support future users. This document can also be passed to others with the code we wrote, allowing it to have a long term impact beyond our time in the lab alone.
I have found that working with the electronics also taught me that sometimes it is better to walk away and take a break rather than keep trying. Sometimes hardware overheating from overuse during testing leads to malfunctioning and anonymous behaviour or in worse cases could cause permanent damage. When this was the case, allowing the equipment to cool to normal temperature both solved the problem and kept the equipment working. I found this to be analogous even when working on other problems. Sometimes when solving a problem, I would persist for a long time without finding a solution before forcing myself to take a break. And often, coming back refreshed would reveal the answer in front of me. This showed me how too much of the Oxford Character trait of Drive can become a vice. While persistence is important, tunnel vision can sometimes leave us blind and learning when it is beneficial to take a step back is just as important as keeping motivated to keep moving forward.
Another aspect of the project included preparing data for a machine learning algorithm to detect mange. Mange is a skin disease caused by parasitic mites that affects various mammals, including wild carnivores like coyotes and foxes, leading to hair loss, skin inflammation, and scabbing. Through processing image data of coyotes and systematically recording images that contained mange to help train a machine learning algorithm. This data should help expedite future mange detection, leading to long term benefits through better understanding of this disease in wildlife and more efficient processing of future data.
Working in such a small team, I also found the best skill to have was adaptability. With many things to do, this often meant working on several different problems at once and. Finding that part of the character trait drive was not only accomplishing single tasks but also having the flexibility to complete many small and differing tasks. This ranged from painting wooden boards to mount the devices, scrolling amazon for suitable materials, contacting land owners and many more. All of these tasks are important to finishing a project and part of drive is not being so focused on a single task that others do not get done.
Fieldwork
We spent many days bushwhacking through forests or vegetative areas in more urban sites. This range from the mountains of the Malcomknopp research forest to out of bounds areas of golf courses. This also provided an incredible opportunity for me to learn about the local fauna - including the many invasive blackberry bushes we had the pleasure of walking through and their painful thorns.
Scouting locations. Ideally areas less likely to be found or disturbed by humans. Not only to prevent humans from being scared by and setting off the devices but also to prevent theft of equipment. Finding areas that would attract wildlife was also fascinating. When a general location had been pinpointed, we would spend time looking for tracks, scat or other evidence to try and understand what the wildlife in the area were doing and what routes they may take.
Days where we were setting up BoomBoxes included mounting cameras and the BoomBox devices to trees. Areas of shrubbery around the cameras also needed to be removed to preserve the camera angles. Set up also included setting up the animal lure disks. These lures were incredibly strong scented disks that required handling with gloves and tongs with scent that was known to be able to escape through two sealed glass jars. Perhaps I am not a coyote but they did not smell good to me.
Science communication and opinions of the public
A vital, additional dimension of science-backed sustainability lies in bridging knowledge gaps, ensuring that insights extend beyond the research community to inform both industry practices and the general public. Community-based science is vital for local engagement, so I designed a recruitment poster inviting local residents to volunteer their private land for hosting small research devices.
Another way to engage with communities is through science communication. Science communication through social media has the advantage of being able to reach a wide audience that may not otherwise engage with a topic. Some with the goal to inform, such as the video I created above that explains the playback study. Others aim to simplify engagement, leveraging viral trends like memes. This included a spin on a previous trend of asking women if they would rather be first with a man or a bear. Digital science communication can also be reused and therefore these can be shown at events in the future (for example, presentations at schools). I hope this allows my contributions to have more long term impacts for the ABC group.
Public engagement can be as simple as sharing cute photographs and images of animals. What seems so simple can be just as impactful for public perception. This can be particularly true for animals like coyotes which have previously been negatively stereotyped as ‘evil’ or ‘violent’. I found this even as I searched for souvenirs. Every shop was filled with animal soft toys including but not limited to moose, bears and even racoons all donning Canadian sweaters and mountie hats for sale to tourists. However, I did not find any for coyotes. Correcting negative stereotypes about coyotes is essential for sustainability because public perception drives management policies and community attitudes. Fostering a more accurate view helps replace fear-based reactions with non-lethal deterrents, responsible waste management, and long-term coexistence strategies. Posting cute photographs and images of animals offers a low-stakes way to positively influence public perception and slowly change people's views of animals like coyotes.
Beyond this specific project, science communication can also show the fun in research. Like many kids, I found my love for science through science communicators, people like Bill Nye and Hank Green. Science communication plays an important role in making science engaging and accessible.
Reflections and Personal development
Acknowledgments of indigenous people and land
I enjoyed learning about the cultures of the various nations whose land I had the privilege to be on. Including traditions such as Potlaches, traditional gift-giving and feasting ceremonies, and the importance of canoes and how they absorb the energy of those who touch them. At the anthropology museum, I found it interesting how they showed the importance of language. For instance, in the museum of anthropology the items in the museum were not called ‘artefacts’ but ‘belongings’ - tying the objects to people and showing they acknowledged it was cherished, used in daily life, and held inherent cultural meaning.
What I also found interesting is how First Nation culture tied into sustainability. For example, the tradition of land stewardship - knowledge keepers practice sustainable resource management, including traditional cultural burns to maintain ecosystems and restore native clam beds. This highlighted to me how intersectionality connects social issues. For example how decolonization is also important for environmental sustainability and how native knowledge which kept land and sea healthy before colonisation can and should be incorporated to future sustainability efforts. For instance, after my LIA I travelled to Port Hardy (north of Vancouver) where I visited the K'awat'si Shellfish - a sustainable oyster farming enterprise operated in partnership with the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations. Located within the Ugwiwa Cape Caution Conservancy, it combines traditional guardianship with cold-water aquaculture.
Though Canada still has a ways to go with supporting First Nations, it was refreshing to see the steps they have taken, especially compared to other countries. It made me reflect on the native people in other places I have lived and in the future I hope to use what I have seen as examples of how native culture and knowledge can be incorporated into projects I work on by amplifying the voices of indigenous peoples.
Just because you may not initially be the best person for the job, does not mean you should not try
I spent much of my first week observing what was happening with the project and honestly, not feeling very useful. I thought of practicing the character trait of humility in knowing I may not always be the best person for a job and not waiting to insert myself and waste time. However, I found this becoming a vice at times and at worst initially led to me not trying to contribute because someone else already knew more. However, I realised that humility comes more from understanding your own current abilities at the moment and not overstating them but also knowing that abilities are things you can grow. I felt this for example with the coding aspects as I initially did not know how any of the devices worked and felt bad for asking for help in being shown. I see now how exercising the trait of courage in asking for help and having the humility to know I needed help allowed me to then contribute to the project in a way I would not have otherwise. I found people were kind and generous in offering help and explanation after I asked.
New place, new people
Vancouver is a sprawling city, and it is easy to understand why many consider it a lonely place. For the first time, I was without structured avenues, like classes or student societies, that naturally facilitate making new connections. As an introvert who genuinely enjoys social connection, taking the initiative to meet people felt like a daunting hurdle. To overcome this, I sought out open social gatherings and local workshops, discovering options like pottery classes and community meetups organized through the 'Flock' app. Stepping out to attend these required a conscious exercise of the Oxford Character trait courage. It was a strange contrast: although I knew I would have fun and appreciate the company, staying alone in my room felt far more comfortable. However, pushing through that initial hesitation rewarded me with enjoyable experiences every time, reinforcing the idea that stepping outside our comfort zones often unlocks new opportunities. Ultimately, I realized that feeling fearful does not mean a task is inherently difficult. Once I took that initial step out the door, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Listen to nature
Conclusion
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Vancouver and am incredibly grateful for this opportunity. If there is anything I think tied all of my experience together it is that often the things which are scary are the most rewarding. This can be in work and asking for help to learn more and help with more difficult tasks, it is in trying to find new experiences in new countries, in going into nature to be able to appreciate it, in going out to meet new people in new places. But I think I have not only learned that doing scary things is often rewarding, but also that often they are not as scary as they seem.