Board of Trustees
Chair
Zak Showell
Zak Showell is the Director of Shaldon Wildlife Trust, a small BIAZA and EAZA member zoo, based in Shaldon, Devon, England. Since the age of 5 he dreamed of working in zoos and is getting the chance to live his childhood dream. He cut his teeth in the zoo industry as a registrar and became well known for his work with zoo records and animal transfers.
With over 14 years’ experience in the zoo industry he is involved in many BIAZA committees and runs four EAZA breeding programmes including the Owston’s civet breeding programme. Shaldon Wildlife Trust has long standing links to Save Vietnams Wildlife and he was fortunate enough to attend the Owston’s Civet conservation planning meeting back in 2019. He is also a trustees of BIAZA and an advocate and advisor to the Mountain Marmoset Conservation Programme.
Ms Trinh Thi Mai
Mai holds an Erasmus Mundus International Master degree in Applied Ecology and has 6 years’ experience working in conservation field for both national and international NGOs.
She is currently working for the Saving Threatened Wildlife project, WWF in Viet Nam and is a member of IUCN SSC Small Carnivore Specialist Group. Mai has research experience in wildlife farming, civet coffee, small carnivore biodiversity surveying and virtual and physical wildlife trade.
Previously, Mai worked for the Owston’s Civet breeding program and social behaviour change projects, where she had the opportunity to sharpen her knowledge, and gain experience in project management and fundraising. Mai has also been a grantee of many prestigious international programs and conferences including YSEALI PFP, SCCS Australia, ASEAN in Today’s World.
Lucy Newton
Lucy Newton holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (with Honours) in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare, and a Foundation Degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Conservation. In university, Lucy became interested in human and animal interactions, and she would like to pursue a Master's degree in Human and Animal Interaction in the future. Lucy is keen to understand and develop strategies to improve the relationships held between humans and animals and hopes to research the impact of civet’s musk on the African palm civet (Nandina binotata) and African civet (Civettictis civetta). Lucy oversees the development of The Civet Project Foundation's "Night Roamers" citizen science project, a nocturnal small carnivore camera-trapping project run in partnership with Mankwe Wildlife Reserve in South Africa.
When in the UK, Lucy is an Assistant Head Birdkeeper to a private estate that has over two hundred parrots including the Amazon parrot (Amazona), Conures (Aratinga solstitialis) and Illiger's macaw (Primolius maracana).
Danielle Boobyer is a charity marketing expert with academic expertise in human-animal relationships. Dani holds a Batchelor of Science in Biology from the University of St Andrews, and is studying for a Masters of Arts in Anthrozoology from the University of Exeter, UK.
After starting her career in the animal/environmental charity sector with an internship at WWF, she’s since worked for Greenpeace UK, Surfers Against Sewage and Newquay Zoo. Dani currently works for a specialist charity mobilisation agency called More Onion, where she helps non-profits of all sizes boost their campaign and fundraising impact. Dani is passionate about bringing her professional and academic expertise together to help protect civets.
Danielle Boobyer
Heidi Quine
Heidi holds an MSc in International Animal Welfare, Ethics, and Law from the University of Edinburgh, and an MBA in Human Resources from the Australian Institute of Business. With over 25 years’ experience in animal welfare, conservation, and organisational leadership, she is currently the Country Director for Animals Asia in Vietnam. Heidi has lived in Vietnam since 2015 and has led efforts to end bear bile farming, improve animal welfare standards, and build local capacity through training and leadership development. She now oversees Animals Asia's two bear rescue centres, ethical elephant experience program, and the campaign to end the consumption of dogs and cats.
Heidi also spent a year as the International Technical Advisor to Save Vietnam’s Wildlife, supporting their Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program (CPCP), where she worked closely with Owston’s civets, masked palm civets, and binturongs—deepening her passion for viverrid conservation and the protection of lesser-known species. A proud people person who believes animal welfare starts with getting the “people stuff” right, Heidi is passionate about driving change through empathy, empowered teams, and inclusive leadership.
Linh (Claire) Dang My Ha
Linh is a development specialist with nearly a decade of experience leading impactful advocacy and conservation programs across Viet Nam. Her work spans cross-sector coordination, public awareness campaigns, and strategic government partnerships, with a focus on eliminating the dog and cat meat trade and advancing animal welfare.She currently serves as the Viet Nam Country Director for Soi Dog International Foundation in Viet Nam, where she leads national strategies to end the dog and cat meat trade, strengthen legal protections for animals, and build multisectoral collaboration.
Previously with TRAFFIC Viet Nam, Linh led initiatives to combat illegal wildlife trade,assess zoonotic disease risks, and monitor illicit markets. She has worked extensively with government ministries, international NGOs, and civil society organizations to shape evidence-based solutions for sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and animal protection. Linh brings to The Civet Project Foundation a deep commitment to systemic change and the ethical treatment of all species.
Jack Williams is the Conservation & Development Coordinator at Dudley Zoo & Castle (DZC), a BIAZA and EAZA zoo in the West Midlands, England. Within his role at DZC, Jack oversees both DZC's fundraising strategy and conservation strategy. Inspired by his love of small mammals, Jack started his career as a part-time animal keeper in a small wildlife park in Cumbria in 2015. Since then, Jack has gone on to hold positions within small zoo management as well as zoo-based education and conservation.
Jack is particularly interested in raising public perception and awareness of lesser known and underappreciated taxa, such as arachnids, rodents and small carnivores. Alongside his role within TCPF, Jack also sits on BIAZA and EAZA committees supporting terrestrial invertebrates
Jack Williams
Core Team
Jes holds a PhD in Anthropology and an MSc in Primate Conservation. For her doctorate, Jes specialised in human-civet relationships within wildlife trade networks. Jes is the founder and CEO of The Civet Project, convener of the IUCN SSC Small Carnivore Specialist Group Civet Working Group, and Research Associate at the University of York. Jes founded the Civet Project in 2019 to address the lack of civet representation in the public, academic, and conservation spheres despite the numerous threats they face. The organisation was awarded charity status in 2023.
Jes' published academic works include the topics of civet coffee production and authentication, civet coffee tourism, the rising phenomenon of Civet Lover pet keeping clubs, animals in tourism, animal ethics, and media portrayals of animals during times of crises. Jes' full work can be found on ResearchGate. Her book "Civet Society: Disappearance Amidst Global Connection" is forthcoming with Sydney University Press.
Dr Jes Hooper
Founder & CEO
Cerys Deakin is a graduate from the University of Exeter with a Masters of Science with Honours in Zoology. Cerys completed a two year internship at The Civet Project Foundation, helping to launch and grow key programs including World Civet Day and the Industry Leaders Report.
Cerys now works for The Civet Project Foundation as a Communications Officer. Working across cultures, countries, and conservation issues, Cerys works with supporters, partners and ambassadors to raise awareness of civets and advocate for greater civet protection.
Cerys Deakin
Communications Officer
Keyana Jeffrey holds a BSc in Applied Wildlife Conservation from The University of the West of England, and a FdSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Conservation from Plumpton College. Currently pursuing an MSc in Applied Wildlife Conservation, Keyana completed a 2 year internship at The Civet Project Foundation before becoming the foundations Programs Administrator.
As The Civet Project Foundation Programs Administrator, Keyana is responsible for the development of programs monitoring processes and database management. Keyana oversees the iNaturalist 'Night Roamers' citizen science initiative and is currently working on the strategic development of the Civet One Health initiative.
Keyana Jeffrey
Programs Administrator
Jessica Meadows holds a Bachelor of Science degree (with Honours) in Zoology with Professional Placement from the University of Exeter. During her professional placement, Jessica developed a deep passion for the conservation and welfare of civets, inspired by her behavioural research on the resident pair of Owston’s civets at Newquay Zoo. This experience ignited a commitment to improving global awareness and understanding of these elusive and often overlooked species. Her commitment to these remarkable animals was further strengthened through her work recording breeding behaviours in Owston’s civets at Save Vietnam’s Wildlife. These experiences have fostered a strong personal connection to Owston’s civets in particular, driving Jessica to advocate for their conservation and improved care both in situ and ex situ.
Through The Civet Project’s research, advocacy, and collaboration, Jessica is excited to be part of the team ensuring that the Viverridae family receive the recognition and protection they deserve.
Jessica Meadows
Research & Communications Intern
Ambassadors
Deb and Dave!
The Planet D
Deb and Dave are a Canadian couple who founded The Planet D after cycling the continent of Africa in 2008. Since then, they have dedicated themselves to inspiring adventure in everyone and advocating for responsible tourism and wildlife experiences across 120 countries spanning all seven continents.
Recognised for their influential work, Forbes Magazine listed The Planet D among the Top 10 Travel Influencers in the world. The duo has also garnered numerous awards for their blogging, photography, and video skills. With a guiding philosophy that "Adventure is for Everyone," they provide valuable insights, motivational content, and conscientious travel advice, assisting others in planning their adventures.
To follow Deb and Dave's adventures, you can follow their adventures on The Planet D.com, YouTube and Instagram.
Specialist Advisors
James Watuwa, D.V.M., is a distinguished Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarian renowned for his pioneering contributions to conservation efforts in Uganda.
Dr Watuwa is a registered Veterinary Surgeon and a member of the Uganda Veterinary Association. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (BSc.) in Veterinary Medicine, a Masters of Science Degree in Wildlife Health and Management specializing in wildlife Clinical Medicine (Msc. WHM), and Post Graduate Diplomas in Environmental Impact Assessment (PGD, EIA) and Project Planning and Management (DPPM). He also possesses numerous specialist skills certificates including One Health Field Training; Chemical and Physical Restraint of Wild Animals; Scientific Writing, Research, and Publishing; Phage Therapy and Advanced Molecular Diagnostics; and Master Herpetology.
Dr Watuwa is co-founder of the Endangered Wildlife Conservation Organization (EWCO), and is currently serving as the Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarian at the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC-ZOO), Dr Watuwa's previous leadership roles include the 2018 Bwindi Sarambwe Mountain Gorilla Census, the Herp Mapper Uganda project, and elephant and giraffe translocation management.
