Sara Bebus

Sara Bebus is a conservation and animal behavioral biologist with broad interest in both basic research and applied conservation and animal welfare.

Biography

Bebus studies animal behavior and ecophysiology with a focus on questions that inform applications in conservation biology and animal welfare. She has extensive experience in applied and basic research, including zoo-based conservation, wildlife rehabilitation, field biology, integrative physiology, primatology, marine biology, and animal husbandry. Bebus has worked with some of the most endangered animals in the world, such as the Florida scrub-jay and Hawaiʻi’s ʻalalā and palila, and has experience caring for and studying over 200 species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. Bebus’ current research centers on the development of physiological and behavioral differences among and within species, and how this knowledge can be used to maximize the effectiveness of conservation efforts. Bebus’ research has been funded by the University of Memphis, University of Minnesota, Pymatuning Lab of Ecology, American Ornithologists’ Union, and Florida Ornithological Society. She has worked with the San Diego Zoo, Palm Beach Zoo, Minnesota Zoo, Memphis Zoo, and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota. In teaching, Bebus emphasizes scientific ways of knowing and understanding the natural world and the integrative nature of science. B.S., University of Minnesota; M.S, Florida Atlantic University; Ph.D., University of Memphis. Bebus was a visiting faculty member at Bennington for the 2021-2023 academic years.