Current positions
Head of Department (2020-2021)
Senior Lecturer (2016-present)
 
Employment history
2015-2016: Contract Lecturer – Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
 
Education
2010-2016: Postdoctoral researcher – Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, RSA
2004-2010: PhD – University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
2003-2004: MSc – University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
1999-2002: BSc Hons – University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
 
Contact
3rd Floor – Room ZOT28
Zoology Building
King Williams' Town Road
Alice, 5700
South Africa
Telephone: +27-(0)40-602-2339
Cell: +27-(0)72-170-8905
E-mail: ctambling@ufh.ac.za
 
Teaching activities
BIO 121 – Animal Diversity (2016-2018, 2021-present)
ZOO 121 – Animal Diversity (2016-present)
ZOO 212 – Introduction to Animal Behaviour (2017-present)
ZOO 222 – Special Topics in Mammalogy (2016-present)
ZOO 314 – Biodiversity and Conservation (2018-present)
ZOO 325 – Research Techniques in Animal Ecology (2017-present)
ZOO 503 – Field research Methodology (2017-present)
ZOO 511 – Evolution, systematics and conservation biology (2018-present)
ZOO 521 – Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecology (2016-2017, 2019-present)
ZOO 323 – Evolutionary Ecology (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2014-2015)
 
Course coordinator for BIO121 (2021-present), ZOO 314 (2018-present) and ZOO 325 (2017-present)
 
Other professional activities/memberships

• Reviewed manuscripts for Acta Theriologica, Acta Zoologica Sinica, African Journal of Ecology, African Zoology, Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment, Animal Behaviour, Austral Ecology, Basic and Applied Ecology, Conservation Letters, Ecological Informatics, Ecological Modelling, Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal of Mammalogy, Journal of Zoology, Journal of Wildlife Management, Mammalian Biology, Oecologia, Oryx, PLoS ONE, South African Journal of Wildlife Research, Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Research (A summary of reviewing outputs can be found on the Publons website)
• External examinations: Mtech – Cape Peninsula University of Technology; MSc – University of Kwa-Zulu Natal; MSc – University of Cape Town; DTech – Tshwane University of Technology; PhD – University of Pretoria; PhD – University of the Witwatersrand; PhD – University of Lyon; PhD – Rhodes University
• Member of the Executive Committee of the Southern African Wildlife Management Association
• Member of the Executive Committee of the Thicket Forum

 
Research interests
My research focuses on both large mammal predator ecology and large mammal predator-prey interactions (at population and behavioural levels) and can be broadly grouped under the theme "large mammal predator mediated trophic interactions". I am especially interested in understanding how large mammal trophic and behavioural interactions are modified by top down pressures in the Anthropocene. By understanding behavioural interactions between members of different trophic levels we can improve our ability to conserve not only species, but also the adapted behavioural interactions between species and thus entire community assemblages. To address questions related to this broad theme, I focus on a mix of empirical and theoretical approaches, integrating field work, laboratory analysis and analytical techniques in behavioural ecology. Although the majority of my research has been confined to predator and prey interactions on large mammals in Africa, my research is not motivated by a single taxon but rather by particular research questions that emanate from behavioural interactions between predators and prey.
 
 
Student supervision (Current)

• 2019-present: MSc Zoology – Ms Zonke Mrubata. Title: Spatial and temporal distribution of the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), at the Great Fish River Reserve
• 2020-present: PhD Zoology – Mr Sinalo Malindie. Title: Ecology and management of buffalo in the Great Fish River Nature Reserve.
• 2020: BSc Honours – Ms Sanki Memani. Title: Impact of reintroducing apex predators and megaherbivores on medium to large mammals

 
Co-supervision (other universities)

• 2017-2020: MSc Conservation Science (Cape Peninsula University of Technology) – Mr Iain Olivier. Title: Lion (Panthera leo), livestock and wildlife interactions in the Kuku Group Ranch pastoralist area, Kenya
• 2018-2020: MSc Conservation Science (Cape Peninsula University of Technology – Ms Sally Reece. Title: Spatial use patterns and species richness of medium and large mammals in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi
• 2019-present: PhD Zoology (Stellenbosch University) – Mr Wian Nieman. Title: Fire regime impacts on large mammal community structure in a small fenced reserve: implications for management and conservation
• 2020-present: MSc Zoology (Rhodes University) – Mr Gift Speelman. Title: Potential impacts of baboons on Tree Euphorbia's in the Great Fish River Nature Reserve

 
Representative publications

• Tambling, C.J., Avenant, N.L, Drouilly, M. & Melville, H. (2018). The role of meso-predators in ecosystems: potential effects of managing their populations on ecosystem processes and biodiversity. In Livestock predation and its management in South Africa: a scientific assessment. G.I.H. Kerley, S.L. Wilson & D. Balfour (eds). Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth: 205-227.
• Tambling, C.J., Avenant, N.L, Drouilly, M. & Melville, H. (2018). The role of meso-predators in ecosystems: potential effects of managing their populations on ecosystem processes and biodiversity. In Livestock predation and its management in South Africa: a scientific assessment. G.I.H. Kerley, S.L. Wilson & D. Balfour (eds). Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth: 205-227.
• Tambling, C.J., Minnie, L., Meyer, J., Freeman, E.W., Santymire, R.M., Adendorff, J. & Kerley, G.I.H. (2015). Temporal shifts in activity of prey following large predator reintroductions. Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology 69(7): 1153-1161.
• Tambling, C.J., Druce, D.J., Hayward, M., Castley, J.G., Adendorff, J. & Kerley, G.I.H. (2012). Spatial and temporal changes in group dynamics and range use enable anti-predator responses in African buffalo. Ecology 93(6): 1297-1304.
• Tambling, C.J., Cameron, E.Z., duToit, J.T. & Getz, W.M. (2010). Methods for locating African lion kills using global positioning system movement data. Journal of Wildlife Management 74: 549-556.
• Tambling, C.J. & du Toit (2005). Modelling wildebeest population dynamics: implications of predation and off take in a closed system. Journal of Applied Ecology 42: 431-441. (British Ecological Society - Southwood Prize: Best article for a junior scientist in the Journal of Applied Ecology).

 
A full list of publications can be found here:
Full list of publications and other research outputs on UFH website
Full list of publications on ResearchGate - H Index: 21 (as of 19 March 2021)
Full list of publications on Google Scholar - H Index: 22 (as of 19 March 2021)