Dr. John Weaver
Conservation Scientist

John Weaver is a carnivore conservation biologist for WCS based in Missoula, Montana with field programs in the western United States and Canada.  Recently, his research and conservation activities have increasingly focused on Canada, with field programs in Nahanni National Park and the Crowsnest Pass region of central Alberta.

Over the past 25 years, John has played many key roles in large carnivore conservation in the United States and Canada.  His dissertation research was on the ecology of wolf predation in the high-diversity ungulate environment of Jasper National Park, Alberta.  John has held leadership positions with the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on endangered species and has served on several recovery teams, including for both wolves and grizzly bears. 

Over the years, he has perfected hair snaring techniques for lynx and bear surveys and invented a lynx lure that is now widely used. He has authored more than 20 scientific publications and served as a reviewer for five scientific journals. John has an academic appointment at the University of Montana.  He is particularly interested in conservation strategies that address the resiliency mechanisms of vulnerable species.