Peter Roberts

Career Overview

I have studied animals since 1994, completing research in small carnivores mainly genets and civets in Europe, Asia and Africa. I studied large spotted genets (Genetta tigrina) in the Eastern Cape Province for my Masters Degree in Zoology and published a paper in 2007 on the diet of the species determined through scat analysis. Following this I completed my PhD at Oxford Brookes University researching the wild behavioural ecology of the Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus musangus) along with analysing the exotic pet trade in animal markets and via social media and finally the welfare Civets in the trade in Kopi Luwak (Civet coffee).

I have been at Hartpury University since 2021, teaching modules including Animal Behaviour, Animal Welfare and Behavioural Ecology. I am currently also project managing my research in to small carnivores and sympatric species in Northern Italy to determine status of species, habitat use and activity patterns. Among the species studied in Italy include the European Genet (Genetta genetta).

Teaching and supervision

B.Sc dissertation supervision in carnivores, domestic dogs and primates including conservation, welfare and behaviours.
Introduction to Animal Welfare.
Animal Behaviour
Behavioural Ecology
Applied Research Practice
Principles of Animal Welfare and Behaviour
Research Methods for Agricultural and Animal Scientists
Professional and Academic Skills in Animal Biology
Access to HE

Research interests

Welfare and management of civets in civet coffee tourism plantations,
The Asian Palm Civet: Fundamental Baseline Findings in Ecology,
Captive Husbandry and Effects of Trade in Civet Coffee [PhD Thesis] A conservation assessment of Genetta tigrina.
The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho.
South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa.
Trade in Common Palm Civets Paradoxurus hermaphroditus in Javan and Balinese markets, Small Carnivore Conservation 51: 11-17.
Records of small carnivores and of medium-sized nocturnal mammals on Java, Indonesia, Small Carnivore Conservation 50:1-11.
Diet of the South African large-spotted genet Genetta tigrina (Carnivora, Viverridae) in a coastal dune forest, Acta Theriologica 52(1):45-53.
Aspects of the Behavioural Ecology of Genetta tigrina. School of Biological Sciences, Walter Sisulu University (M.Sc Thesis), Republic of South Africa.

Pure profile