Emeritus Professor Phil Seddon and his partner Professor Yolanda van Heezik, both based in the Department of Zoology, on a recent trip to the Galapagos Islands. Phil says the wildlife during their snorkelling experience, that included green turtles, marine iguana, and penguins, was “amazingly approachable”.
Emeritus Professor Phil Seddon has a feeling his career may have been the result of him effectively talking himself into it.
As early as primary school, Phil decided he needed an answer for adults who relentlessly asked the question, “what are you going to do when you finish school?”. “Studying animal behaviour” was his response, and it was an answer that seemed to satisfy these adult demands, especially as it suppressed follow-up questions.
Phil’s pathway involved enrolling for study at Otago’s Department of Zoology to complete his undergraduate honours degree. A local field job following graduation that included nest monitoring and pest control of yellow-eyed penguins led to a PhD in the Department researching the nationally endangered species.
It was during his postgrad studies when Phil met his lifelong partner to be, now fellow Zoology Professor Yolanda van Heezik. At the time Yolanda was also completing her PhD work on the yellow-eyed penguin, looking at growth and diet. Supervisor for both their research projects was Professor Lloyd Davis, who decided his two penguin students should share an office – a decision that would lead to the end of their single lives and the start of their life together.
Twelve years of overseas-based projects together in a diverse range of countries including South Africa, Namibia and Saudi Arabia preceded an opportunity to return to the Zoology Department to lead the Wildlife Management programme.
Phil, a Royal Society Te Apārangi Fellow and an internationally renowned expert in conservation biology, particularly conservation translocation science, was awarded Emeritus Professor status in April.
Sciences Communications Adviser Guy Frederick caught up with him at the start of his retirement.
What brought you back to the Zoology Department as a staff member in 1998?
Yolanda and I had a son while we were in Saudi Arabia, and after a couple of years of family life in the desert we were keen to return to New Zealand and an opportunity came up to lead Zoology’s Wildlife Management programme. We both applied and the University employed us on a job share basis. We returned to what felt like a reinvigorated department with new programmes happening, which was great.
Phil and Yolanda met in the Department of Zoology as PhD students when they were both studying the yellow-eyed penguin (photo circa 1987).
After two decades as Director of the Wildlife Management (WLM) programme, what legacy are you most proud of?
I led the introduction of one of Otago’s first coursework masters. For the research component this meant students could undertake their research in a workplace outside of academia, such as the Department of Conservation (DOC). The legacy of the programme is undoubtedly our graduates, and it’s fantastic to see them in quite senior positions across organisations like DOC, regional councils and NGOs. There are many cases of them now employing other graduates, so there’s a lovely depth of relationships and connections happening through the conservation sector.
I’m really proud that the wildlife management continues to be New Zealand’s most recognised, and also longest running, programme in conservation biology. It's not only been popular domestically, but when combined with our country’s positive reputation in conservation, also ensures its popularity for international students.
How has the WLM programme changed over your time?
We still do species-specific research but are increasingly looking at bigger picture ecosystems and wider holistic thinking that links to Indigenous world views. Associated with this is the recognition that as conservation scientists, we can only make a real difference if we connect with other disciplines from humanities to commerce. For this reason, students can take other papers from all areas of the University to complete the degree, depending on their own interests.
How has thinking changed in your expert field of conservation relocation and reintroduction over time?
We used to focus on individual species but have expanded our thinking to multi-species movements and restoring ecosystem health and functionality. When considering restoration, we are grappling with the idea that we can’t go back in time as the climate, environment and mix of species are now different. The idea of novel ecosystems – a concept developed by Richard Hobbs in Australia – recognises that these systems aren’t pristine and we must manage this novelty to support ecosystems that are native-species rich, and resilient and stable. There’s also a huge surge in rewilding which involves removing human influences as much as possible and seeing where a system ends up, without any particular target in mind. These are examples of the sorts of directions we are going in and each raises their own questions, challenges and opportunities.
How has your experience overseas benefitted your work and research?
Having a global perspective is valuable as countries tackle similar challenges differently and it's important to learn from this. When I returned to New Zealand I maintained these international connections and often brought these learnings into my teaching practices. On the global stage I have benefitted from being based in New Zealand due to its reputation for nature and conservation – we are a small island population punching above our weight in lots of areas and people are keen to hear our story.
Tell us about your work with DOC recovery programmes that support species like kakī (black stilt) and takahē
At the core of my involvement with these programmes is the opportunity to give back to my DOC colleagues after all their support for our programme and students. The DOC teams are made up of very capable and passionate individuals, so I’m happy to be a sounding board and provide advice for their work when needed. Aotearoa’s natural treasures are so special, it has been a real privilege to be able to contribute to their conservation, in large part through supervising many cohorts of passionate and energetic research students.
Phil with Wildlife Management programme students on a field trip to Otago Peninsula counting fur seal pups.
What does your long association with the Department of Zoology – from student to staff – mean to you?
It means a lot and I’ve come to really appreciate the collegiality and warmth that’s part of Zoology. Everyone works hard to keep this cohesion alive and it’s a welcoming Department full of extraordinary colleagues and students. It’s been an incredible privilege to be an Otago alumni, but also an employee which now includes as Emeritus, and I’m hugely proud to be associated with this University.
If you were selecting a PhD topic now with your current knowledge, what would it be?
Compared to the more species-specific focus in the past, I’d be tempted to explore big connected issues and unravel the drivers of change, including human dimensions. The research may be less satisfying than fieldwork as it would require analysing massive data sets, but it could yield valuable insights and learnings.
What does retirement have in store for you?
I’m keeping my roles with DOC, advising the Ministry for Primary Industries on wallaby management and am contributing to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) synthetic biology group. I’m also involved with two ecosanctuaries – Orokonui and Mamaku Point Conservation Reserve on Rakiura. Outside of work I plan to continue karate, that includes teaching at the University’s karate club, have just completed my 250th plasma donation, and started volunteer driving for the cancer society.
What are your thoughts on the moa de-extinction plan making the headlines?
The de-extinction pathway pursued by Colossal is to genetically modify near relatives to create genetically modified organisms (GMOs) with features of the lost species. The rationale for doing this was laid out in an IUCN World Conservation Union document I co-authored in 2017, which is to create an ecological replacement to perform critical missing functions lost with the extinction of the original species. The case for large scale habitat restoration using a GMO moa relative does not seem to be compelling. Proponents of moa de-extinction either don't know or don't care that extinction really is forever and that the authentic life force of a species cannot be restored by tinkering with another entity.
Study Zoology at Otago
Did you know that New Zealand’s only mammals were bats and seals, until about 1000 years ago? Animals are fascinating and there is so much to learn about them – the Zoology courses at Otago will blow your mind.
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