Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Ngaio Richards, A Lifelong Commitment to Wildlife Conservation and Forensics

Dr. Ngaio Richards
Dr. Ngaio Richards

Dr. Ngaio L. Richards’ journey into conservation and wildlife forensics was shaped by a childhood in rural surroundings. Growing up in the village of South Stukely, Québec offered her unrestricted access to nature, fostering a deep connection to animals and the environment. Richards continues to build on these early experiences, bringing her underlying love for ecology and natural history to both her fieldwork and teaching roles.

“I thought I would naturally end up in veterinary medicine or as a documentary filmmaker,” Richards said, reflecting on her early aspirations. After internships in veterinary settings, however, she realized that the human interactions central to the profession were not a perfect fit for her. She pivoted to filmmaking but was drawn back to the comforting rigor of scientific inquiry, ultimately pursuing environmental sciences instead. There, Richards discovered her passion for fieldwork and applied research, sparking a lifelong dedication to wildlife conservation.

After attending a Society for Wildlife Forensic Sciences conference, she was captivated by a presentation by Dr. Jason Byrd, a clinical professor and forensic entomologist at the Maples Center for Forensic Medicine at the University of Florida. Seeing a potential to develop impactful courses drawing also from the veterinary sciences, she approached Byrd, and soon after began teaching for the Maples Center’s online graduate programs, bringing her practical insights to students eager to make a difference in wildlife forensics. As she put it, “the rest is history.” She teaches the program while residing in Missoula, Mont.

Richard’s fieldwork has taken her to diverse and remote locations, from the Alaskan Arctic to West Scotland and Cameroon. She feels beyond fortunate to have seen so much of the world, and this has profoundly shaped her approach to wildlife conservation and forensics. “Every new experience in these far-flung places reinforces me,” she said. For Richards, conservation is not only about protecting ecosystems but also about learning from the communities and environments she encounters. Her perspective on wildlife forensics is rooted in a deep respect for the cultural and ecological diversity of the areas she studies. “We have a tendency to want to educate and conduct outreach efforts, but often we are the ones who need to be educated,” she said.

Dr. Richards and her partner Ace diligently search for dyer’s woad in Montana, one of the many unique examples of her fieldwork.
Dr. Richards and her partner Ace diligently search for dyer’s woad in Montana, one of the many unique examples of her fieldwork.

In addition to her fieldwork, Richards plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between wildlife conservation and veterinary science. She has encountered challenges in addressing the often-overlooked repercussions of using veterinary products on wildlife. “There is still an overall notion that pesticides only kill and veterinary products only heal,” she said. This overly literal stance can be dangerous, as veterinary products like flea treatments or euthanasia drugs can harm non-target species. Richards has long advocated for routine monitoring and analysis for the presence of veterinary residues in wildlife to understand their broader ecological impacts.

Another key aspect of Richards’ conservation work is her involvement with Working Dogs for Conservation, where she serves as the organization’s Forensics and Field Specialist, which includes canine handling. In this role, she works closely with detection dogs, who are trained to locate various plant and animal targets key to ecological monitoring and contaminant monitoring efforts. Her late partner Orbee, a border collie, was instrumental in her conservation efforts. “Orbee was one of my best teachers in work and life,” Richards said fondly, highlighting the unique bond between dog handlers and their canine partners. Detection dogs not only assist in gathering critical data non-invasively but also bring a level of joy and purpose to the fieldwork, making conservation efforts more meaningful.

Dr. Ngaio Richards, right, serves as a forensics and field specialist with Working Dogs for Conservation, working closely with dogs trained to locate plant and animal targets key to ecological monitoring and environmental contaminant monitoring efforts.
Dr. Ngaio Richards, right, serves as a forensics and field specialist with Working Dogs for Conservation, working closely with dogs trained to locate plant and animal targets key to ecological monitoring and environmental contaminant monitoring efforts.

Looking to the future, she envisions wildlife forensics continuing to evolve with a focus on preventive measures and ecological monitoring at the community level. She hopes to contribute to this evolution by both practicing and promoting cultural humility and advancing the field through innovative and minimally invasive techniques, particularly in canine detection and environmental monitoring.

Richards’ advice to students and young professionals interested in wildlife biology is rooted in self-awareness and a genuine passion for the work. She encourages aspiring conservationists to define their interests clearly and build joy and learning into their careers. “Remember that nothing is as glamorous as it might seem from afar,” she said, urging students to find what sustains them in the field.

At the heart of her work with the Maples Center’s Wildlife Forensic Sciences and Conservation program is her deep admiration for the students she teaches. “Without question, our students are my favorite part,” she said. Their enthusiasm and willingness to tackle difficult subjects inspires her and gives her hope for the future of wildlife conservation.

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The Maples Center for Forensic Medicine’s Wildlife Forensic Sciences and Conservation online program offers a Master of Science in Wildlife Forensic Sciences and Conservation, a Graduate Certificate in Wildlife Forensic Sciences and Conservation, and online continuing education courses. The program allows students to interact with the content in an asynchronous, online-delivery format on their schedules while taking coursework covering contemporary issues in domestic and international wildlife protection and conservation, current laws and regulations, and the handling and interpretation of evidence found in wildlife crime activities. These online graduate programs are designed for students and working professionals in wildlife conservation, ecology, and animal protection. Explore programs and apply online