We are a highly productive, research-oriented department with a strong focus on biodiversity, evolutionary biology, systematics and conservation of the southern African fauna, along with the classical disciplines of physiology, behaviour and ecology. There is a major emphasis on mammals from mole-rats to seals in the Mammal Research Institute (MRI), and also on elephants (Conservation Ecology Research Unit: CERU). Other research groups focus on animal and ecosystem responses to climate change, restoration ecology, avian ecophysiology and molecular zoology. Entomological research includes honeybee behaviour and conservation (Social Insect Research Group: SIRG), and biologically-based pest and vector managment.