Dr. Nicole Duplaix                                Nationality: American

Address: 290 18th Street NE #1, Salem, Oregon 97301, USA.  Telephone: 1-503- 371-2255    E-mail: NDParis@aol.com 

           

Experience summary

Thirty years’ activity in environmental sciences, including international conservation and coordination of endangered species and habitat programs. Extensive international record in scientific field research and coordination of worldwide information systems (electronic, film and print.)  Strong communication, negotiation and fund‑raising skills. Competent in all phases of scientific and journalistic writing with 6 books, over 60 publications, 150 presentations, and 3 web sites. National Geographic (Image Collection) contract photographer and writer. Doctorate in Animal Biology with highest honors. Multilingual and travel to 123 countries.  

 

Academic qualifications

·       Doctorat és Sciences degree (Animal Biology), Faculty of Sciences ‑ Orsay, University of Paris, France. Highest honors and congratulations of the Jury. 1981

·       Diplôme d’Etudes Approfondies (DEA - equivalent M.Sc.).  Animal Ecology.  Faculty of Science, University of Paris, France. 1968

·       Biology Major. Manhattanville College, Purchase, New York. 1963-1965

·       French Baccalauréats, Paris, France, 1961-1962

 

Professional experience (partial list)

·       Researcher and instructor: Oceanic Society Blackbird Caye Research Station, Turneffe Atoll, Belize. Research programs: reef ecology, dolphin ecology and behavior, reef fish identification. 2003 – present

·       Coordinator, researcher and instructor. Giant Otters: Rapid River Bio-assessment Surveys and Training Programs in Suriname, Guyana, French Guiana and Brazil, funded by World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International, Miami Metro Zoological Society and the Oceanic Society, 1999 – present

·       Contract freelance photographer and writer, National Geographic Society Image Collection, Washington, DC. 1997 – present. ( see also  http://www.nicoleduplaix.com/ )

·       Freelance Script Writer for film and video productions. 1975 – present (see below).

·       Web site writer and graphics editor, Bonjour Paris on America Online (AOL). 1994 – 1995

and www.2DocStock.com , a site on Australia, Provence and Suriname, 1999- present

·       Founder and President, Duplaix & Associates, Inc., International Environmental Consultants, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. 1988 – 1992

·       Director, Environmental Audit Group, GeoServices Inc. Consulting Engineers, Boynton Beach, Florida. Oct. 1988 -- May 1989                       

·       Director, Office of Communications, South Florida Water Management District, West Palm Beach, Florida.1984 – 1988

·       Director, Environmental Service Center, Florida Defenders, Tallahassee, FL. 1983.

·       Founder IUCN-SSC TRAFFIC and Director TRAFFIC (U.S.A.), World Wildlife Fund-US, Washington, D.C.1978-1982

·       Founder and Chairman, IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group. 1974 – 1989. Member, ’89-present.

·       Visiting Research Scientist, Office of Zoological Research, National Zoo, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.1978

·       Field and captive studies of the Giant otter in Suriname, and other otter species in Europe, Africa and Asia.1966-1978

·       Scientific Assistant to the General Director, New York Zoological Society, Bronx Zoo.1975

·       Editor, International Zoo Yearbook. The Zoological Society of London, U.K.1971-1975

 

Teaching and Field Experience

·       Expedition leader, instructor. 10 undergraduate Biology majors, University of Suriname. Field trip to the Upper Coppename River, Central Suriname Nature Reserve. One week field trip to teach Giant otter field methodology techniques, survey local fauna and flora. (Extremely difficult field conditions.) Funded by Conservation International – Suriname). November 2004.

·       Researcher, instructor. Oceanic Society: Blackbird Caye Research Station. Turneffe Atoll, Belize, Central America. Taught volunteers reef ecology, dolphin ecology and behavior, reef fish identification, snorkeling skills. Volunteer groups change weekly (6-8 participants), range in age from 13-86 years, education from high school to PhD level. 2004: 6 weeks. 2005: 5 ½ months - ongoing.

·       Field researcher, instructor. Oceanic Society: Guyana Giant Otter Conservation Program, Karanambu Ranch, Rupununi, Guyana. Taught volunteers Giant otter ecology and behavior, field methodology, fauna and flora with an emphasis on bird identification. 2002: 6 weeks (volunteer groups change weekly, 6-8 participants), 2003: 8 weeks, 2004: 8 weeks, 2005: 1 week.

·       Field expedition leader and instructor. Teaching Giant otter field methodology course and bird identification. Guyana: 1 graduate student University of Guyana, 10-day field course on the Rewa River, May 2002. Suriname: 1 graduate student (2 weeks,June 2002), 1 postdoc student (1 week, November 2003), 3 field rangers (2-3 weeks, 2001-2004), 1 undergraduate student, University of Suriname (2 weeks, 2001). Funded by World Wildlife Fund-Guianas, Oceanic Society. Brazil: INPA (Aquatic Mammal Research Institute, Manaus): 1 week field trip with 1 postdoc and 1 undergraduate student to compare field methods (October 2004) funded by Metro Dade Zoological Society, Peru: 1 week field trip with 3 postdoc and 6 graduate students (hosted by the Frankfurt Zoological Society) to compare field methods (June 2003).

·       Instructor, Photojournalism in the Field. Institut Accords Education, Paris, France. One-semester course on photojournalism in extreme conditions: preparation, equipment, photo skills, presenting a proposal, shoot lists, budgeting, editing, travel savvy. Three courses given (Institute now closed). 1993

·       First ever study of the Giant otter in the wild, Suriname, South America. Graduate research in partial fulfillment for doctoral requirements. Survey of 11 remote, mostly uninhabited river systems in extremely difficult field conditions.1976-1978

·       Field and captive studies of 13 otter species in Europe (France, UK), USA, South America (Suriname, Brazil), Africa (Ivory Coast) and Asia (India, Malaysia).Graduate study in partial fulfillment for doctoral requirements. 1966-1976

·       Field assistant: Survey of primates, Lamto Research Station, Ivory Coast. Professor Francois Bourliere. (Graduate MSc field course). 1967

·       Participant: Tidal invertebrate ecology, Roscoff Marine Field Station, France (part of MSc Program) 1967

 

IUCN (World Conservation Union) Appointments (partial list)

·       Member, Species Survival Commission (SSC), International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). 1971 ‑ present

·       Steering Committee. IUCN/SSC Species Survival Commission. 1978-1988

·       Regional Vice Chairman (North America) IUCN Species Survival Commission. 1981‑1984

·       Founder and Director TRAFFIC (U.S.A.), World Wildlife Fund, Washington, D.C.1978-1982

·       Reviewer, IUCN/SSC Red Data Book, Mammals. 1972-1980

·       Founding member, IUCN/SSC TRAFFIC Specialist Group (Trade Records Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce). 1975‑1985

·       Founder and member, IUCN/SSC Animal Trade Information Service 1972-1975

·       Delegate to CITES (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species):1978-1985

·       Founder and Chairman, IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group. 1974-1989. Member 1989 - present.

·       Chairman and Member, IUCN/SSC Zoo Group. 1972‑1976

·       Member, Tropical Forest Task Force, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).1978-1989

·       Executive Secretary, American Committee for International Conservation (IUCN-ACIC) 1978-1980

·       Member, IUCN Critical Marine Habitats Group. 1976‑1978

·       Member, IUCN/SSC ‑ International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF) Liaison Committee. 1972-1974

 

Scientific Boards:

·       Tropical Forest Task Force, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).1978- 1990

·       Secretary/Treasurer and Board of Directors: Species Survival Foundation.1982 -1988

·       Member of Council, The Otter Trust, England.1979 - 1983

·       Executive Board Trustee, Rare Animal Relief Effort (RARE).1977-1983

·       Exec. Secretary, American Committee for International Conservation (ACIC).1980 -1983

·       Zoo Standards Committee. Federation of Zoological Gardens of Great Britain and Ireland.1973 -1974          

·       Council Member, The Mammal Society of Great Britain.1973 -1974

·       Surveys and Groups Working Party. The Mammal Society.1972 -1974

·       Conservation Committee, American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA).1972-1974

·       Founding Honorary Secretary, The Otter Trust, England.1972-1979

·       Founder and Board of Directors, Zoological Consultants Ltd. 1971-1980

·       Vice-Chair, Gavin Maxwell Otter Project, World Wildlife Fund - U.K.1970-1984

 

Publications (partial list)

Doctoral dissertation: The comparative ecology and behavior of Pteronura brasiliensis and its phylogenetic implications. (in French, 352 pages). University of Paris – Orsay.1982

Books:

·       N.D. & J.A. Davis: Otter, Identification Manual for Customs Officials. 30; CITES, Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, Gland, Switzerland.120 pp.1983

·       Editor. Proceedings of the First Working Meetings of the Otter Specialist Group. IUCN Special Publications (Morges). 158 pp. 1978

·       N.D. & Noel Simon. World Guide to Mammals. Crown Publishing. 284 pp. 1976

·       Editors, Janet Kear & N.D.-H., Flamingos, Proceedings of the First International Flamingo Symposium. Trevor Poyser. 246 pp. 1975

·       Editor, International Zoo Yearbook. Vol. 12, 416 pp. 1972; Vol. 13, 423 pp. 1973; Vol. 14, 423 pp. 1974; Vol. 15, 463 pp. 1975. The Zoological Society of London.

Articles (partial list):

·       H. Jacques, N. Duplaix, G. Chapron. The Congo Clawless otter: State of Knowledge, and Needs for Further Research. Proceedings of the IXth Otter Colloquium. (In press, 2005)

·       Giant Otter Country Fact Sheet for Suriname, in Otter Action Plan 2005 of the IUCN-SSC Otter Specialist Group, (in press, 2005)

·       N. Duplaix, C. Ribas (2005) Giant otter and Neotropical cormorant fishing association in the Pantanal, Brazil. Friends of the Giant otter Bulletin 13. Dec. 2005

·       J. Groenendijk, F. Hajek, N. Duplaix et al., Surveying and Monitoring Distribution and Population Trends of the Giant Otter Pteronura brasiliensis – Guidelines for a Standardization of Survey Methods. Habitat, 12, 120 pp. 2005

·       Giant otter cub killed by black caiman. Friends of the Giant otter Bulletin 10. June:4, 2004

·       Tail-waving and scent marking: the ontogeny of a behavior pattern. Friends of the Giant otter Bulletin 9. Jan.:7-8, 2004

·       Cub submissive panic posture. Friends of the Giant otter Bulletin 8. Aug.:4-5, 2003

·       Daisy Chain grooming, a new descriptive term. Friends of the Giant otter Bulletin 8. Aug.:5, 2003

·       Oceanic Society Guyana Giant Otter Project, Research Results: 2002-2004 http://www.giantotterresearch.com/fieldreports.html

·       Giant otter Final Report. WWF-Guianas Rapid River Bio-assessments and Giant Otter Conservation Project - FG-40 FY2002. 2003. 185 pp. http://www.giantotterresearch.com/articles/articles.html

·       Giant otter Bibliography.  Assembled by Nicole Duplaix, Jessica Groenendijk, Christof Schenck, Elke Staib and Sheila Sykes-Gatz. 2002 (updated yearly) http://www.giantotterresearch.com/articles/FINALGOBiblioDivided.html

·       N.D., M. Lingaard, & C. Sakimin, A Survey of Kaburi Creek, West Suriname and its Conservation Implications 2001, Oceanic Society, Oceanic Society, 34 pp. 2001. http://www.giantotterresearch.com/field%20reports/KaburiAnnualReport.pdf    

·       Evaluation of the Animal and Plant Trade in the Guayana Shield Eco-region, Preliminary Findings. World-Wildlife Fund and UNDP Guayana Forests & Environmental Conservation Project (WWF-GFECP) 2001. 88pp. http://www.wwfguianas.org/Files/Guianas%20Trade.pdf

·       Numerous articles/photos on Australia, Provence and Suriname on http://www.2docstock.com/1999-2001

·       18 articles on Paris and France on AOL Bonjour Paris and http://www.bparis.com/  1995-1997

·       Agents of Capitalism. Chapter in From the Field, A Collection of Writing from National Geographic. C. McCarry, editor. Washington: National Geographic Soc.: 230-232.1997

·       South Florida Water: Paying the Price. National Geographic. July: 89-112, 1990

·       Fleas: The Lethal Leapers. National Geographic. May: 114-136. 1988

·       Otters. Chapter in,  Encyclopedia of Mammals. D.Macdonald, editor. NY: Facts on File:124-129.1987

·       How rare is the Egyptian vulture in South Africa?  Vulture News 4:18. 1985

·       CITES, TRAFFIC, and the international black-market trade in rarities. In, Proceedings of an International Symposium on the Extinction Alternative. P.J. Mundy, editor: 72-73.1984

·       Im Kielwasser der scheuen Riesenotter. Das Tier  Tierwelt 2: 4-9. 1984

·       Otters, In, Carnivores. G. Batemen, editor. New York: Torstar Books: 116-121. 1984

·       Macdonald, S. & N.D. The Otter, Symbol of Our Threatened Fauna. Naturopa 45:14-19.1983

·       Mack,D., N.D., & S.Wells. Sea Turtles, Animal of Divisible Parts: International Trade in Sea Turtle Products. In, Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles. K. Bjorndal, editor. Smithsonian Institution Press:545-563.1982

·       E. Roet, D. Mack & N.D.: Psittacines imported by the United Sates, ’79 - ‘80. In, Conservation of New World Parrots. Roger Pasquier, editor. Smithsonian Institution Press: 21-55. 1981

·       N.D. & L. Grady. Is CITES for or Against Wildlife? International Zoo Yearbook,20: 245-248. 1980

·       Observations on the ecology and behavior of the Giant River Otter Pteronura brasiliensis in Suriname. Terre et Vie. 34:495-620. 1980

·       Giant Otters: “Big Water Dogs” in Peril. National Geographic. July: 130-142.1980

·       Giant otters in Suriname. Oryx. 14(4):439. 1979

·       Status of the Giant otter Pteronura brasiliensis in Suriname. In, Proceedings of the First Working Meetings of the Otter Specialist Group. IUCN Special Publications (Morges): 48-55. 1978                 

·       N.D. & H.A. Reichart. The History, Status and Conversation of the Manatee Trichecus manatus in Suriname, Report under contract to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Endangered Species Bureau, Manatee Conservation Project. 35 pp. 1978

·       J.A. Davis & N.D. Neotropical otters. In, Wildlife '76 N. Sitwell, editor. Danbury Press: 48-53. 1976

·       N.D. & J. Vandevere. Sea otter bibliography, FAP/ACMRR Conference on Marine Mammals, Bergen, Norway. MM/SC/54:1-32. 1976

·       River otters in captivity, a review. In, Breeding Endangered Species in Captivity, R.D. Martin, editor: 311-327, Academic Press. 1975

·       N.D.-H & Janet Kear. Breeding requirements of flamingos in captivity. In, Flamingos. J. Kear & N. Duplaix-Hall, editors.: 131-141. 1975

·       Achievements in the breeding of rare and endangered species in zoos of the world. In, The Contribution of Zoos to the Conservation on Nature: 11-16. The World Wildlife Fund, "1001" Nature Trust Symposium, London, UK. 1974

·       Notes on maintaining otters in captivity. International Zoo Yearbook. 12: 178-182. 1972

 

Multimedia/Film (partial list):

·       Co-producer/Screenplay/Voice-over script: Little Tracker. Provision, South Africa. 50 minutes.1999. Awards: First Place Gold Camera Award, US International Film and Video Festival, Chicago, USA; Finalist, Golden Panda Award, Wildscreen Festival 2000, Bristol,UK; Finalist: Jackson Hole Wildlife Film 2001 Festiva, Best Children's Category; Finalist: "Gold Panda" Awards for Documentary at the 6th Sichuan TV Festival, China.

·       Voice-over script: Kalahari, Living on the Edge. Provision, South Africa. 50 minutes. 1998 (South African Documentary TV award: Best Directing, Best Production, Best Script and Best Wildlife Documentary)

·       Talent/Coordinator: Nouveaux Mondes: Capture and Transfert. Gedeon Programmes and France 2. 1h45m. 1999 (In French)

·       Talent/Coordinator: Nouveaux Mondes: Elephants of Kruger. Gedeon Programmes and France 2. 1h45m. 1998 (In French)

·       Web site writer, graphics/photo editor, Bonjour Paris on America Online (AOL).1994-1995

·       Scientific Advisor/Writer/Photos. Mammals. Interactive CD ROM. National Geographic. 1990. First Edition

·       Spokesperson. Frequent radio and TV interviews on south Florida environmental and water issues for the South Florida Water Management District. 1985-1990

·      Talent/Coordinator. In Search of the Giant Otter.  BBC-Natural History,1978. Updated and re-edited by WGBH for all PBS affiliates. (50 minutes). 1984

 

Lectures (partial list)

·       Launching the Giant otter Status Survey in South America. INPA Aquatic Mammal Research Center, Manaus, Brazil, 2004

·       ND and H. Jacques. Giant otter Habitat Use in the Guayana Shield and Current Threats. IXth Otter Colloquium, University of Maryland, Frostburg. 2004

·       Keynote address. Global Heritage Species: A Blueprint for Survival. Knowledge for the 90s: a New Horizon. Annual NCAB/AALAS Conference, Ellicott City, MD. 1991

·       Biology and Status of the Giant Brazilian Otter. Wildlife in the Everglades and Latin American Wetlands Symposium. Florida International University. Miami. 1991

·       Keynote speaker. The "Writes" of Spring. A Celebration of Ecological Consciousness. Palm Beach Community College. 1990

·       Keynote speaker. International Trade in Endangered Species, An Appraisal. Endangered Wildlife Trust Symposium, Pretoria, South Africa. 1983

·       International Law and the Wildlife Trade. Law School, University of  Virginia, 1983

·       The harvest of Northeastern furbearers, past and present. Northeast Endangered Species Conference, Provincetown, MA. 1980

·       TRAFFIC (USA)'S proposed international crocodile trade survey. IUCN/SSC Crocodile Specialist Group meeting, University of  Florida, Gainesville, FL. 1980

·       The behavior and ecology of the Great Brazilian otter Pteronura brasiliensis in Suriname. American Society of Mammalogists, 58th Annual Meeting, Athens, GA. 1978

·       Studying European otters in the wild. The Mammal Society, Annual Meeting, UK. 1974

·       The comparative behavior of otters, a review. University of Christchurch, New Zealand and University of Melbourne, Australia. 1974

·       How should one start a field study on otters? Mammal Society, Annual Meeting, UK.1973

·       The comparative agonistic behavior of otters in captivity. XIIth International Ethological Congress, Edinburgh, Scotland. (September).1971

·       The comparative vocalizations of otters. XIth International Ethological Congress. Rennes University, France. (September)1969

 

Expert Testimonies (partial list)

·       Comments on the Lacey Act Amendments. Presented before the US Senate Committee on Resource Protection and to the House Subcommittee on Merchant Marine Fisheries 1980

·       Comments regarding the U.S. government position on the proposed threatened status for the leopard in sub-Saharan Africa.  Presented to the Director of the Fish & Wildlife Service. 1980

·       Comments regarding the U.S. government's position to list Psittacines (parrots) on Appendix I of CITES. Submitted to the Director of the Scientific Authority (ESSA). 1980

·       World trade in elephant ivory. Presented to the House Subcommittee on Merchant Marine Fisheries. 1979

·       Export findings for the American alligator. Presented before the Endangered Species Scientific Authority (ESSA), Senate Subcommittee. 1979

·       World trade in crocodilian products. Presented before the House Subcommittee on Merchant Marine Fisheries. 1979.

 

Conference Organizing (partial list)

·       Organizer. Presentation of Findings: Giant otter conservation in the Guianas. World Wilflife Fund Conference, Paramaribo, Suriname. 2003

·       Joint organizer.1986.First Annual Everglades Conference. Port Everglades, FL.

·       Joint organizer.1987. Managing Megagrowth: Florida's New Mandate Conference, Miami, FL         

·       Organizer. Fourth International Otter Colloquium and IUCN Otter Specialist Group Meeting, Monterey, CA

·       Organizer. Third International Otter Colloquium and IUCN Otter Specialist Group Meeting, Strasbourg, France. 1983

·       Organizer.  1984 Second IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Meeting, U. of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. 1980

·       Organizer. 1976. First IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Meeting, Paramaribo, Suriname.

 

Grants Received:

·       2005: Riverine environmental education program for ecotourists. Central Suriname Reserve. Conservation International – Suriname

·       2004: Giant otter field research in Pantanal and Manaus, Brazil. Miami Metro Zoological Society

·       2004: Training undergraduate students in Giant otter field methodology and faunal survey of the Upper Coppename River Central Suriname Reserve. Conservation International – Suriname

·       2003:  Training undergraduate students in Giant otter field methodology and faunal survey of the Rewa River in Guyana. Conservation International-Guyana

·       2003: Giant otter and faunal survey of the Upper Coppename River, Central Suriname Reserve. Conservation International – Suriname

·       2001-2003: Giant Otters: Rapid River Bio-assessment Surveys and Training Programs in Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana. World Wildlife Fund- US and Guianas

·       1975-1989:  IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group. IUCN, World Wildlife Fund, Univ. of Florida, New York Zoological Society

·       1978-1982: TRAFFIC-USA, office and project development. New York Zoological Society, IUCN, World Wildlife Fund-US, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Law Enforcement Division)

·       1977: Manatee survey in Suriname.  U.S. Department of the Interior, Endangered Species Bureau

·       1976-1978. Giant otter field research in Suriname. New York Zoological Society, National Geographic Society, World Wildlife Fund – Intl., Rare Animal Relief Effort

 

Awards and Professional membership (partial list)

·       Scientific Fellow: The Zoological Society of London

·       Fellow:  The Linnaen Society, London

·       Fellow:  The Royal Geographical Society, London

·       Fellow:  New York Academy of Sciences, New York

·       Conservation Associate:  New York Zoological Society (1976-1978)

 

Languages 

Bilingual English - French. Spoken Italian and Spanish, some Dutch and German. Spoken Sranantongo (Suriname dialect)