From South African savannahs to the icy edges of the Arctic, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) alumnus, Dr Kailen Padayachee, is forging a remarkable path as a conservation biologist, environmental advocate and global educator. His journey from Nature Conservation student to PhD graduate, researcher, NGO founder and international expedition lecturer, illustrates the powerful intersection of science, passion and purpose.
Dr Padayachee, a graduate from TUT’s Department of Nature Conservation, is making an indelible mark on the fields of biodiversity, ecotoxicology and environmental education. With a PhD in Biology from the University of Cape Town’s FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, his work spans continents and ecosystems, advocating for wildlife and environmental sustainability on multiple fronts.
A seasoned conservation biologist, Dr Padayachee’s research focuses on avian ecotoxicology, specifically the contamination of raptor populations by organochlorine pesticides.
Dr Kailen Padayachee, conservation biologist, environmental advocate and global educator
His doctoral thesis, A Multi-Scale Analysis of Organochlorine Pesticide Contamination in Raptor Populations, shed light on global monitoring gaps, revealing a bias toward data collection in the Global North. It also assessed the impact of global chemical policies like the Stockholm Convention and examined pesticide exposure in migratory raptors in South Africa - highlighting areas of concern despite generally low contamination levels.
Dr Padayachee is an honorary research fellow at the University of the Witwatersrand’s School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences. He also serves on the board of directors for both the Magaliesberg UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the KaiNav Conservation Foundation, the latter of which he founded.
The KaiNav Conservation Foundation, a non-profit organisation, champions biodiversity conservation through education and research. One of its most impactful initiatives is S.N.A.R.E. - Snare Neutralization, Awareness and Removal Effort -which has helped remove countless snares and illegal traps from South Africa’s wild spaces since 2015. These confiscated tools are repurposed in education programmes and transformed into artwork by local creatives through the S.N.A.R.E. Art Program, an initiative aimed at wildlife protection and community empowerment.
Dr Padayachee’s academic journey began at TUT, where he earned a National Diploma in Nature Conservation in 2009, followed by a BTech in 2012 and an MTech in 2017. His path is one of steady progression, deeply rooted in science but animated by a lifelong passion for environmental stewardship.
Beyond academia and conservation, Dr Padayachee travels the world as an expedition lecturer, ornithologist and guide for Silversea Cruises. Whether navigating polar landscapes or subtropical coastlines, he educates audiences on avian biology, climate change and the importance of preserving biodiversity - bringing science to life in some of Earth’s most remote corners.
Driven by a holistic vision of conservation, Dr Padayachee inspires diverse audiences through his research, leadership and outreach. Whether removing snares in the bushveld or tracking raptors across continents, his mission remains clear: to protect nature, empower people and spark a global appreciation for the planet’s delicate ecosystems.