I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Victoria in BC, Canada. My research interest lies in the evolutionary origins and socio-ecological drivers of primate behavioural flexibility and diversity. I use a variety of interdisciplinary methods in the field to study wild populations.  I recently completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology, investigating chimpanzee culture and communication as part of the Pan African Project: The Cultured Chimpanzee. During my doctoral thesis on wild chimpanzee vocal communication, I developed a passive acoustic monitoring system for primates living in a tropical forest. I continue to promote non-invasive monitoring as well as supporting the development of automated methods for data processing and analyses.

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As PI of the Great Ape Behaviour (GAB) Lab at UVic, my team and I conduct research on a wide array of topics with respect to great ape behavioural ecology and conservation of wild populations. We strive to bridge the gap between behavioural research and applied conservation in our work whenever possible. The GAB lab believes in fostering a supportive and inclusive research environment and welcomes diverse perspectives in our research aims and methods. 

Ammie K. Kalan

Primatologist