Steven Bobzien is a highly experienced wildlife ecologist with a distinguished career spanning over 45 years. He has dedicated his life to studying wildlife and preserving diverse ecosystems in the western United States and South America, including the Galapagos Islands, Amazonia, Pantanal in Brazil, and Patagonia. Throughout his extensive research, Steven has focused on the conservation and recovery of endangered, threatened, and special status species.
Steven's Projects
Steven's findings have been disseminated through scientific journals, books, regulatory recovery and conservation plans, policy documents, and other publications. His dedication to the field extends beyond research, as he has actively contributed to wildlife conservation through his involvement in organizations and advisory committees. Notably, he served as the President of the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society and participated in scientific advisory committees such as the Mountain Lion Working Group, the Decline Amphibian Task Force, California Essential Habitat Connectivity Project, San Francisco Bay Area Upland Habitat Goals Project, and the Recovery Team for Several Amphibian Species, and Tidal Marsh Ecosystems of Northern and Central California.
Furthermore, Steven expertise in animal handling has allowed him to safely capture and release hundreds of animals and for over 30 years, he held a master bird banding permit, primarily associated with raptor research. This permit enabled him to band and track birds of prey, providing valuable insights into their behavior and migratory patterns contributing to research efforts and conservation initiatives.
In 1996, Steven further expanded his skills by obtaining a Wildlife Handling and Chemical Immobilization Certification from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. This certification allowed him to handle and immobilize wildlife for research and relocation purposes, primarily carnivores. He maintained this certification throughout his career, demonstrating his commitment to upholding the highest standards of animal welfare and safety.
Likewise, to his expertise in animal handling, Steven has received training in forensic ecology. This specialized knowledge has equipped him to investigate human-wildlife conflicts, particularly incidents involving reported depredation of livestock, hobby animals, and pets in central and northern California. As a principal lead on these conflict events, Steven has applied his skills to assess and mitigate conflicts between humans and wildlife, working towards finding sustainable solutions and promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.
Ecology and Conservation
Steven's research has covered a wide range of species, from aquatic invertebrates to cetaceans. He has conducted long-term research projects on various subjects, including Aquatic Breeding Amphibians and other Herpetofauna, Investigating Natural and Anthropogenic Impacts on 15 Federally Listed Species in California, studying Population Viability and Behavior of Tidal Marsh Rails, and Examining the Migratory and Nesting Behavior of Raptors in California. Furthermore, he has explored Mammalian Carnivore Behavior and Activity in the sub-ecoregions of California's East Bay Area. Currently, in collaboration with Panthera, the Jaguar Identification and Giant Otter Identification Projects, Steven is conducting research on the Interspecific Interactions among Jaguars and Giant Otters in the Brazilian Pantanal. Moreover, Steven has been actively involved in assisting Panthera ecologists in the Pantanal with their jaguar and ocelot research projects. Panthera is a renowned organization dedicated to the conservation of wild cats and their habitats worldwide.
