What happens in the field is only as useful as our ability to observe it, record it accurately, and share that information.
In September 2026, Mpala staff and researchers came together for a practical workshop focused on strengthening field reporting using EarthRanger. The session brought together people working across Mpala’s field sites and campus, creating an opportunity to connect field experience with consistent approaches to data collection and recording.
The workshop was led by Dr. Shaleen Angwenyi, a wildlife veterinarian, Smithsonian Institution postdoctoral researcher, and Program Lead for Wildlife Health Watch.
Participants worked through several aspects of wildlife health and field reporting, including best practices for post-mortem photography, logging field events, assessing animal health using the Body Condition Score (BCS) system, and safely handling carcasses in the field. The session also covered the physical markers used to determine the sex of a carcass and provided a practical introduction to the wider EarthRanger ecosystem.
Rather than being a classroom-style training, the workshop drew heavily on the experience already present at Mpala. Staff who spend much of their time in the field shared observations and practical lessons with colleagues who are more often based on campus. These exchanges helped connect the information collected in the field with how it is recorded, interpreted, and ultimately used.
EarthRanger provides a common platform through which these observations can be logged and organized, helping build a clearer picture of wildlife health events and other activities occurring across the landscape.
The session was opened and closed by Dr Cosmas Nzomo, Mpala’s Acting Chief Research Officer, who emphasised the value of building practical skills and strengthening the quality of information collected across Mpala.
For participants, the workshop was ultimately about ensuring that when something happens in the field, the right details are captured, recorded, and made available to the people who need them.
