Wildlife veterinarian, Ecotoxicologist and Film Maker
Dr. Catherine Hauw is a wildlife veterinarian, global speaker, and passionate advocate for conservation. She travels internationally, sharing her expertise at conferences and inspiring others through her work.
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WHO AM I?
Travelling veterinarian passionate about wildlife
Catherine Hauw is a French-Canadian graduate who earned her veterinary degree from the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest in 2018. 🎓 Before pursuing veterinary medicine, she completed a BSc in Neurobiology at the University of Montreal and attended school in Paris.
Catherine has always been deeply passionate about wildlife. 🦁🌿 During her studies in Budapest, she gained valuable wildlife experience through internships at Darjeeling Zoo in India, Werribee Open Range Zoo in Australia, and Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland.
After graduation, she worked at an exotic animal hospital in England 🏥🐍 before completing an MSc in Wild Animal Health at the Royal Veterinary College in London. For her master’s project in Namibia, she conducted pioneering research on lead poisoning in big cats, breaking new ground in the field. 🐆🔬
With a lifelong dream of working with wildlife in South Africa, Catherine is now continuing her journey with a PhD in Ecotoxicology at Wits University. 🎓 Her research focuses on lead exposure in apex predators in Namibia and South Africa, adopting a One Health approach to benefit wildlife, the environment, and human health. 🌍🦅
Catherine thrives on new challenges and channels her creativity by producing wildlife documentaries about her work. 🎥🐾 In her free time, she enjoys playing music with her band 🎸🎶—combining her love for science, art, and storytelling.
My Next Adventure: Tracking Lead Through Africa’s Wild Carnivores
I’m thrilled to announce the next chapter of my journey — a PhD in ecotoxicology with Wits University that will take me deep into the heart of Namibia and South Africa.
This research will focus on some of Southern Africa’s most iconic carnivores: brown hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, and leopards. These species aren’t just charismatic — they’re also ideal sentinels of environmental health. By analyzing lead levels in their blood, bones, and tissues, we can gain vital insight into how much lead is circulating in their ecosystems.
The goal? To map lead toxicity “hot spots” across the region — areas where lead contamination is dangerously high, often due to hunting with lead-based ammunition. This work doesn’t stop at wildlife: it’s part of a broader One Health mission. If predators are affected, so are people. And by identifying high-risk zones, we can help push for policy changes that protect both wildlife and underprivileged communities.
This project builds on years of fieldwork and advocacy — and it’s just beginning.
Stay tuned for more updates from the field.
"Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievements"
Victor Mosugu
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