Rosaria Santoro – Doctoral Studies at Manchester Met

Rosaria Santoro holds a degree in Biology and two Master MSc degrees, the first, in Ecology from University of Sapienza in Rome and the second, in Zoo Conservation Biology from Manchester Metropolitan University. During the Master MSc degree in Zoo Conservation Biology, Rosaria dedicated herself into the European Endangered species Programs Life Bisons in Romania. In 2019, she graduated in Zoo Conservation Biology with distinction, and was offered a PhD position at Manchester Met for the project “Felid Vocalizations”. In October 2022, she won the "PAIRI DAIZA" grant for conservationist researchers and in March 2023 she successfully applied for the Manchester Met Research Support Award.

Rosaria is interested to apply bioacoustics techniques to improve in situ census methods and ex-situ captive animal management. Specifically, Rosaria's research aims to detect wild leopards (Panthera pardus) by using their sounds, developing a new census technique for elusive species. Working in collaboration with several zoos, Rosaria has conducted different research trying to improve breeding management and captive welfare of captive species such as brown bears (Ursus arctos), pygmy hippos (Choeropsis liberiensis), and European white stork (Ciconia ciconia).

“Hey, you sound familiar, I know who you are!” Discovering acoustic communication of leopards (Panthera pardus) around European zoos

12th December 2023

For me, nothing is more exciting than the world of animal communication. Studying how they “talk” and “express” their needs is my passion, and I’ve been lucky to spend the last five years of my life doing it. I…

Postgraduate research at Manchester Met

Author Archives: Rosaria Santoro

“Hey, you sound familiar, I know who you are!” Discovering acoustic communication of leopards (Panthera pardus) around European zoos