Dr Vivienne Williams

The key theme of my research is wildlife trade in Africa, particularly plants and animals for traditional purposes. I have undertaken applied multi-disciplinary research in traditional medicine markets and outlets across South and southern Africa, and investigated the cultural value, conservation and trade in such diverse taxa as large carnivores (including lion bones and their derivatives), pangolins, birds, reptiles, cycads, orchids and alien plants. My research is embedded in the commitment to amplifying the African voice with respect to wildlife trade and cultural practices.

Vivienne was an AfOx-Collaborative Fellow in 2019.

During her 8 week AfOx fellowship in 2019, Vivienne was hosted by the Department of Zoology and All Souls College.

• Williams, V.L., Coals, P.G., de Bruyn, M., Naude, V.N., Dalton, D.L. and Kotzé, A., 2021. Monitoring compliance of CITES lion bone exports from South Africa. Plos one, 16(4), p.e0249306. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249306
• Williams, V.L. and ‘t Sas-Rolfes, M.J., 2019. Born captive: A survey of the lion breeding, keeping and hunting industries in South Africa. PloS one, 14(5), p.e0217409. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0217409
• Williams, V.L., Loveridge, A.J., Newton, D.J. and Macdonald, D.W., 2017. A roaring trade? The legal trade in Panthera leo bones from Africa to East-Southeast Asia. PLoS One, 12(10), p.e0185996. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0185996
• Williams, V.L. and Whiting, M.J., 2016. A picture of health? Animal use and the Faraday traditional medicine market, South Africa. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 179, pp.265-273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2015.12.024
• Williams, V.L., Newton, D.J., Loveridge, A.J. and Macdonald, D.W., 2015. Bones of contention: an assessment of the South African trade in African lion Panthera leo bones and other body parts. TRAFFIC, Cambridge, UK & WildCRU, Oxford, UK. http://www.traffic.org/species-reports/traffic_species_mammals83.pdf