Marli Burger, who grew up in Tzaneen in Limpopo, has a mind that’s always open to fresh ideas and information. Teaching herself to crochet is symbolic of what drives her: she loves tackling new challenges and figuring out solutions.

Marli has a Master’s degree in Zoology from the University of Pretoria and has been placed as a conservation scientist intern with TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network.

We posed a few questions to Marli to gain insight into what drives her and what her hopes for the internship and future look like:

What are you passionate about?

My dedication to animals is a significant part of who I am and the driving force behind my chosen career path. I believe humans have a responsibility to protect animals who cannot advocate for themselves. This is why I am committed to the protection of nature.

What inspired your choice of study?

I initially applied for Veterinarian Sciences but (un)fortunately was not accepted. I pursued a BSc degree without a clear idea of what I wanted to do. I was introduced to Zoology during my first year and became very interested in it. So I changed my major to BSc Zoology and completed an Honours and Master’s in the subject.

What excites you about your internship?

I enjoy new challenges and am thrilled to join TRAFFIC as I will work alongside individuals who share my passion for conservation. I am really excited to be involved in projects focussing on both legal as well as illegal wildlife trade as it presents a chance to broaden my understanding of the distinctly different approaches and methodologies used in these two projects.

What are your expectations of this internship?

This internship presents a chance to expand my skillset and gain invaluable knowledge over the next year. My goal is to learn how to apply my knowledge and expertise to real-world scenarios and challenges and to acquire practical, hands-on experience that will benefit my future career endeavours.

What contribution do you hope to make towards a future in which people and nature thrive?

I hope to contribute to this cause through my work and by spreading the message about the importance of conserving our environment, not just for us, but for future generations too. I believe education and awareness efforts should be put in place.

Who inspires you most and why?

As the youngest member of my family, I have always looked up to my parents and siblings. They have motivated me to be the best version of myself. During my undergraduate studies, I was taught by Adrian Shrader, and his passion for nature proved to be a significant source of inspiration for me.