Manager of Conservation, Recovery and Restoration Programs      

With a PhD in Ecology, Monique has been engaged in the conservation science sector for over 30 years. Monique is especially interested in understanding ecological processes and on how this understanding can be applied to conserving biodiversity. Monique has extensive experience in planning, leading and managing conservation projects including stakeholder engagement and budget management.  

In 2011 Monique joined Taronga Conservation Society Australia and brought expertise in developing and leading conservation management programs. With a background in academia followed by years of experience in conservation management, Monique’s knowledge encompasses both theoretical and applied fields of conservation biology and brings invaluable experience in the development and management of ex-situ conservation programs. At Taronga, Monique has implemented the recovery program for the critically endangered Plains-wanderer and overseen the expansion of the Regent Honeyeater breeding program to Taronga Western Plains Zoo. She also oversees the recovery programs for Amphibians, Reptiles and Snails. 

Publication: Van Sluys et al. 2024 – Behavioural ethogram to inform ex-situ initiatives for a critically endangered bird – the case of the Plains-wanderer 

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you ended up at Taronga. 

I was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where I grew up and went to university. From a very young age, I’ve been passionate about nature and amazed by all forms and shapes of living beings.  

After finishing a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, I did a Masters and later a PhD in Ecology. My interest has always been in understanding ecological processes and how this can be applied to conserving biodiversity. 

I came to Australia with my family in 2005 on sabbatical and decided to stay for good. After moving to Sydney, I joined Taronga as a volunteer in the Behavioural Science Unit (BSU), where I got my first casual role, coordinating the volunteers’ program (at the time it was still referred to as ‘Animal Watch’). I’ve had several different roles at Taronga – Executive Assistant, Life Sciences, Research and Conservation Coordinator, acted as Manager Conservation Science and as Manager Community Conservation. I’m now the Manager of our Conservation and Recovery programs, encompassing all recovery programs, the in-situ conservation programs and Taronga’s Legacy Sepcies commitment.    

What’s a project you’re currently working on and how is it contributing to conservation? 

I am fortunate to work on the conservation and recovery of several species, in particular the conservation breeding program for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater and the endangered Plains-wanderer – two bird species endemic to Australia. For these two species, an ex-situ conservation breeding program is considered a key action for their recovery, with the purpose of keeping an insurance population within the zoos, as well as birds to be released to supplement the wild populations.  

I am the species coordinator for the breeding programs of both species, as well as representing Taronga at the Regent Honeyeater and Plains-wanderer National Recovery Teams. This involves analysing the pedigree of the zoo population and managing breeding recommendations to maintain their genetic integrity. Over the last 15 years, over 400 zoo-bred Regent Honeyeaters have been released to the wild.  

The conservation breeding program for the Plains-wanderer has been implemented more recently. As an elusive, cryptic bird species, we rely on CCTV cameras to review their behaviours within our zoo facility. To establish a successful breeding program, it’s critical to understand the animal’s behaviour. While information can be gathered from wild populations, for this shy species, the ex-situ population provides a unique opportunity to observe, document and better understand their breeding behaviour, including different aspects of male-female interactions and courtship behaviour. By studying parental care of wild birds as well, we can use these to benchmark wild-type behaviours and inform adaptive management of the breeding program.  

Together with collaborators, I recently published the Plains-wanderer basic ethogram – a list of species-specific behaviours in an easy to read table format. We share this information to support and improve management and conservation initiatives, ensuring that individuals of the insurance population maintain natural behaviours and are optimum for release. 

Have you always had an interest in science? 

I’ve always been fascinated by the natural world, with a particular interest in the living world – animals, plants and ecosystems. I enjoy trying to understand how nature works and how species interact.  

If you’ve ever faced uncertainty about whether you belonged in science, how did you navigate it? 

I see uncertainty as part of life. It’s normal and healthy to question what you’re doing and where you’re going as a person. Uncertainty can be a great opportunity to assess your values and drivers, and even reinvent yourself.  

Whenever I felt uncertain along my professional journey, I would look around, take stock of what I have achieved, think about what else I would – or could – do and make a decision on what comes next. When I decided to quit a long-term tenured job in academia to become a volunteer, I felt insecure and afraid. But deep inside I knew I could do the move and restart a different path within wildlife conservation.  

Acknowledge what you feel and take the opportunities as they come!