We are a diverse and inclusive group, broadly interested in the behavior of wild mammals, and how that translates into conserving them and their habitats. Specifically, we examine 1) the causes and consequences of group living in mammals, especially wild carnivores, 2) the role of an individual in mammalian populations, 3) predator-prey interactions, and 4) how animals navigate the Anthropocene. Our research approach is largely empirical, based on field studies across dry and hot savannas of India and East Africa, to cold and snowy boreal forests of North America. We couple our field observations with a suite of spatial, genetic, and statistical tools to unravel patterns in animal behavior, community ecology, population ecology and conservation biology.

Are you a current undergrad at Mac or a student/researcher interested in the whys and hows of animal behavior? Excited about studying hairy/furry/big animals (aka lions/wolves/elephants)? Contact me at schakrab [at] macalester [dot] edu for information about joining the lab.

Lab Logo illustrated by Dani Freund