Admire CHANYANDURA

Admire Chanyandura is the Unit Head of Conservation Research Development at Al Ain Zoo in the United Arab Emirates. He holds an MPhil in Conservation Science, an MSc in Climate Change and Sustainable Development, a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, and a BSc (Hons) in Wildlife and Safari Management. His academic background is further supported by professional training in Project Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Grant Writing, Monitoring & Evaluation, and GIS.

In his current role at Al Ain Zoo, Admire leads the zoo’s conservation research efforts, capacity-building initiatives, and strategic collaborations. His work bridges science, policy, and practice, with a focus on inclusive and adaptive conservation strategies. Before joining Al Ain Zoo, he was a Senior Program Support Officer at Bridge Carbon. He was also a lecturer at Chinhoyi University of Technology, where he taught modules in Biodiversity conservation, Ecology, Climate Change, and Wildlife Management. He also contributed to field-based conservation and community development projects in partnership with WWF Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, the CAMPFIRE Association, and C-Quest Capital, gaining valuable experience in ecological assessments and sustainable land-use planning.

Admire has authored over 18 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, with work featured in outlets such as Springer, Elsevier, Ecology and Evolution, and Scientific African. His ongoing doctoral research explores the concept of disruptive conservation in crisis contexts, aiming to develop sustainable models that enhance both ecological integrity and socio-economic resilience.