Scott Bourke

Senior Ecologist
Ōtepoti Dunedin 📍

Scott joined Whirika in June 2026, bringing expertise in quantitative ecology, species conservation, biodiversity monitoring, and ecological statistics. He has worked across conservation research for kakī, skinks and geckos, New Zealand and bottlenose dolphins, and a range of seabird species. With a background that spans microbiology, molecular biology research, conservation science, data analysis, and statistical advisory work, Scott is particularly interested in bridging the gap between conservation science and implementation of monitoring and management, helping ensure good science can support real-world conservation decisions.

Before joining Whirika, Scott split his time as a statistics advisor at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka and a data analyst for the Department of Conservation. He led a critical review of the New Zealand Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment for herpetofauna, through the lens of bettering our treatment of this threat in future prioritisation efforts. He was also involved in developing eDNA methods for sampling genetic information from NZ dolphins, reducing the requirement for invasive biopsy sampling; and developing case studies reporting the impact of wildfires on endemic lizard populations.

Scott’s specialist areas include study design, ecological statistics, R coding, species distribution modelling, individual-based modelling, bird banding, lizard sampling, and leading fieldwork in backcountry and at-sea environments. Outside of work, he remains committed to conservation research for Aotearoa New Zealand species and enjoys open water swimming and painting board game models.

Qualifications:‍ ‍

• PhD (Ecology), University of Otago (2026)

• Master of Wildlife Management (Zoology), University of Otago (2023)

• Honours (Microbiology), University of Otago (2018)

• BSc (Microbiology), University of Otago (2017)
  
  

Get In Touch!
scott.bourke@whirika.co.nz
027-237-0085