Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment

School of Life and Environmental Sciences

Dr Desley Whisson
  Phone   +61 3 925 17302
Email   desley.whisson@deakin.edu.au
Position   Lecturer
Campus   Burwood
Research grouping   Wildlife and Conservation Biology
Centre for Integrative Ecology

I am particularly interested in the ecology and management of overabundant animals. I have
worked in Mexico and the USA, as well as Australia and have undertaken research on a diverse
range of species including pocket gophers, squirrels, mongooses, rats and most recently koalas.
Since moving to Victoria in 2007 I have developed a keen interest in the ecology of alpine regions.

Please contact me if you are interested in undertaking a PhD. I currently have opportunities for
projects on koalas and wombats.

Research interests

  1. Ecology and management of pest animals
  2. Koala ecology
  3. Application of geospatial technologies to wildlife management


Career

Bachelor of Applied Science (Biology) - Queensland Institute of Technology (1986)
PhD - Queensland University of Technology (1993)
Graduate Diploma of GIS and Remote Sensing - Charles Sturt University (2004)
Extension Wildlife Specialist - University of California, Davis (1995 - 2004)
Wildlife Officer - Department for Environment and Heritage, South Australia (2004 - 2007)

Key publications

Whisson, D., Holland, G. and Carlyon, K. (2012) Translocation of overabundant species: Considering the welfare impacts on translocated individuals Journal of Wildlife Management in press,

Whisson, D. and Carlyon, K. (2010) Temporal variation in reproductive characteristics of an introduced and abundant island population of koalas Journal of Mammalogy Vol 91, pp. 1160-1167

Salmon, T. P., D. A. Whisson, A. Berentson, and W. P. Gorenzel. (2007) Comparison of anticoagulant baits for control of California Ground Squirrels in rangeland. Wildlife Research Vol. 34, pp. 14-18

Whisson, D. A., Quinn, J. H. and Collins, K. (2007) Movements and habitat use by black rats (Rattus rattus) in an old growth riparian oak forest in California. Journal of Mammalogy Vol. 88, pp. 589-594

Engeman, R., D. A. Whisson, J. H. Quinn, F. Cano, P. Quinonez, and T. H. White, Jr. (2006) Monitoring invasive mammalian predator populations sharing habitat with the critically endangered Puerto Rican parrot Amazona vittata. Oryx Vol. 40, No. 1, pp 95-102

View entire list of audited publications

Professional activities

Editorial Board, Human-Wildlife Interactions
Vertebrate Pest Council, California

 

PhD students

Student nameThesis title
Kris CarlyonThe efficacy of deslorelin implants for managing an overabundant koala population  

 

Honours students

Student nameThesis title Shaun LenehanHabitat use by koalas during the breeding season Brodie HarrisonSmall mammal use of revegetated areas Michelle RyanMeasuring energy expenditure by koalas Amanda OrlowskiThe influence of koala-related tree defoliation on small mammal and bird communities Tom KellyHabitat use and movements by Broad-toothed rats in an alpine resort  

 

Teaching areas

Ecology of pest plants and animals (SLE310)
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (SLE239)
Geographic Information Systems (SLE331)


Deakin University acknowledges the traditional land owners of present campus sites.

8th February 2013