HAA students at the 10th World Congress of Herpetology in Borneo
The 10th World Congress of Herpetology, held from 5 to 9 August 2024 at the Borneo Convention Centre in Kuching, Sarawak, brought together over 1,400 delegates from 70 nations—uniting researchers, conservationists, and enthusiasts passionate about reptiles and amphibians. Many members of the Herpetological Association of Africa attended the conference and for several students it was their first time at this international conference. Attending the WCH for many people has been key to setting up their careers as herpetologists so we asked some of the students to share their experiences with us including the highs and lows, favourite moments and herps and advice for students attending in the future.
‘WCH for me was an amazing experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found it overwhelming to see how many herpetologists could gather in one place of every different colour and creed, and just share their passion and their work. The highlights for me were the hype of the first day and the welcoming ceremony, I really enjoyed some of the talks, and meeting some of the names I’ve been reading on papers for many years, as well as seeing old familiar faces from previous conferences and field trips. I also really enjoyed giving my own talks, which were well received, and several people came up after and to chat to me about them. It is such a cool feeling to know that other people think what you’re doing is cool. Another highlight was discovering a nesting colony of bee-eaters on the venue lawn, so when the networking got a bit much I went and hung out with them for a bit. Borneo was the most wonderful place imaginable, and I enjoyed seeing all the herps. I’ve adored flying lizards since being shown them in children’s books, so I think they were probably my favourite if I had to choose. Advice for future students: Don’t be afraid to find an older herpetologist sitting alone at the lunch table and sit with them. They’re probably lonely too and will be more than happy to chat, and they are very knowledgeable and have fascinating stories to share.’ – Kirsty Kyle
‘Attending the 10th WCH conference was an incredibly positive experience. It was such an honour to share the stage with so many amazing scientists and feel the camaraderie and support of fellow HAA members. Spending days with other passionate researchers and nights exploring new biodiversity and cultures was truly inspiring. Research can often feel overwhelming, but my time in Borneo reignited my passion for this work and reminded me how lucky I am to be part of this field. Some of my favourite moments included seeing a long-nosed horned frog—something that had been high on my bucket list, and it didn’t disappoint. For future students: while networking to advance your career will always be important, never underestimate the value of building a genuine community to share your journey with.’ – Azraa Ebrahim
‘The experience for me was incredible as it exceeded my expectations (I thought it was going to be like HAA conferences). But when I got there my mind was blown away. Being close to the equator for the first time and experiencing the hot and humid weather conditions that I’ve been learning about since high school was amazing. I can’t even choose a favourite herp that I saw because I loved and appreciated every one of them from bronzebacks, cat geckos, the forest dragon lizards, flying gecko, Draco’s and many more. But the one that stood out the most for me was the Bornean keeled green pit viper. It is one animal that has impressed me so far in life with its sexual dimorphism. My advice to future students: Opportunities are out there waiting for you, all you need to do is work hard in your craft and make sure you always raise up your hand, make sure you make yourself recognisable, and always associate yourself with people brighter than you.’ – Shane Sifiso Ngwenya
‘Attending the conference was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had as a student. It was my first time traveling internationally, so I was naturally nervous about the journey and even more nervous about presenting in front of an international audience. However, it turned out to be much less intimidating than I expected. I enjoyed meeting other herpetologists who were genuinely interested in my research. I loved learning about their work as well. It was especially inspiring to see so many female herpetologists at the conference. Searching the rainforest for herps was a highlight for me – seeing pit vipers was a moment I’ll never forget! To future herpetologists, I would say take every opportunity that comes your way. Live, learn, and embrace the journey. It may be challenging but it’s always worth it when you pursue something you are passionate about.’ – Kim Scholtz
It is exciting to see more representation from the African herpetology community at the WCH and we hope funding opportunities will allow many more students and researchers to attend the next congress in Spain in 2028.