Field & Forensic Systems

Integrating molecular genetics, enforcement technology, and real-time conservation architecture.

Over the course of his career, Dr O’Donoghue has contributed to the development of real-time anti-poaching alert systems integrating GPS-enabled monitoring and satellite communication, and to the validation of DNA-based forensic marker systems used in rhinoceros crime investigation and wildlife trafficking prosecutions.

Dr O’Donoghue’s work has operated across three primary conservation landscape

• Africa – Species recovery & anti-poaching systems
• Southeast Asia – Wildlife crime enforcement & habitat protection
• Europe – Reintroduction feasibility & advisory frameworks

His work extends beyond academic research into the design and implementation of applied conservation systems. His frameworks integrate molecular genetics, satellite-enabled monitoring, forensic validation standards, and cross-agency enforcement coordination to strengthen wildlife crime prosecution and long-term species recovery.

Applied Conservation Architecture

Dr O’Donoghue’s work extends beyond academic research into the design and implementation of applied conservation systems. His frameworks integrate molecular genetics, satellite-enabled monitoring, forensic validation standards, and cross-agency enforcement coordination to strengthen wildlife crime prosecution and long-term species recovery.

He has designed and deployed integrated conservation systems that combine genetics, forensic science, field monitoring technologies, and institutional governance to protect endangered species at scale.

His work has included:

• Development and validation of DNA marker systems for black rhinoceros crime investigation
• Co-authorship of one of the first peer-reviewed real-time anti-poaching alert system frameworks (Journal of Applied Ecology)
• Genetic erosion research published in Nature (2003) informing international wildlife management policy
• Advisory contribution to the IUCN Cat Classification Task Force
• Establishment of a Conservation Genetics Laboratory supporting applied conservation programmes
• Field system deployment across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe

Scientific Foundation

  • Nature (2003) — evolutionary consequences of trophy hunting

  • Scientific Reports — black rhinoceros genetic erosion

  • Journal of Applied Ecology — real-time anti-poaching systems

Operational Deployment

  • DNA forensic systems used in rhinoceros crime investigation

  • GPS-enabled wildlife monitoring and satellite alert frameworks

  • Field collaboration across Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia

Institutional Governance

  • IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group – Cat Classification Task Force

  • Director – Linz UK Trust

  • International Advisor – FLIGHT Indonesia

  • Scientific Advisor – Great Bustard Project

Intergrated Field Technologies

Dr Paul O’Donoghue integrates camera trap networks, GPS-enabled telemetry, satellite communication systems, and mobile field data architecture into operational conservation frameworks that support enforcement, species monitoring, and cross-agency coordination.

This work has included

• GPS-enabled wildlife telemetry
• Camera trap and spatial monitoring networks
• Satellite-linked rapid-response systems
• Mobile ranger data infrastructure
• Cross-agency enforcement coordination

Work Included :

Field Monitoring & Telemetry Systems

  • GPS collaring and genetic sampling of protected species (e.g., Scottish wildcat licence)

  • Wildlife capture and monitoring operations (rhinoceros, elephants, brown bears, bighorn sheep)

  • Cetacean monitoring in migratory corridors (Tenerife field research)

  • Spatial telemetry integration for species tracking and enforcement response

Monitoring Infrastructure & Intelligence Coordination

  • Camera trap deployment architecture

  • Satellite-enabled alert systems

  • Mobile field data systems for ranger reporting

  • Rapid-response frameworks linking monitoring to enforcement action

Institutional Deployment

  • Integration of forensic genetics into wildlife crime prosecution

  • Cross-border collaboration with protected area authorities

  • Advisory coordination across NGOs, governments, and conservation bodies

  • Deployment across Africa, Europe, and Southeast Asia

Wildlife Forensic Genetics

Dr O’Donoghue has contributed to the development and validation of DNA-based forensic marker systems used in rhinoceros crime investigations and wildlife trafficking prosecutions. His work supports evidentiary standards required for court-admissible genetic identification and transnational enforcement collaboration.

Field Implementation & Advisory

Advisory roles supporting species protection programs across Africa and Southeast Asia, integrating genetic data, enforcement systems, and population recovery strategy.

Real-Time Anti-Poaching Systems

Co-author of the first peer-reviewed real-time anti-poaching alert framework (Journal of Applied Ecology), integrating GPS-enabled wildlife monitoring, satellite communication systems, field ranger coordination, and rapid-response protocols.