At Terrasense, our mission is to protect wildlife through innovation that puts animal welfare first.
Meet the team behind the mission.
Terrasense Team
Our dedicated team is passionately working to create and establish Terrasense. Together, we strive to innovate and enhance our environment through cutting-edge solutions.
Jonathan O'Connell
Founder & CEO, Visionary
Jono is an inventor, entrepreneur, and strategic thinker with a deep passion for solving complex challenges through innovation.
Over the past decade, he has secured dozens of patents spanning wireless transmission, UAV operations, physics and conservation technologies. His expertise bridges the worlds of wildlife tracking, aerial systems, and advanced optical and radiation-based solutions designed for real-world applications.
Matthew Gie
Co-founder
Matthew is a skilled cameraman and technician with a focus on unique camera and VFX techniques.
After filming wildlife and conservation for the last few years, he brings in-depth knowledge and connections to the conservation space. He has developed live-streaming solutions for both urban and remote areas, ensuring reliable connectivity.
Neil Impey
Co-founder & Director
Neil studied Anthropology and Primatology at the University of Calgary and spent a semester participating in Dr. Mary Pavelka’s field school.
There, he studied the effects of hurricanes on primate populations and forests, focusing on arboreal folivorous non-female bonded Black Howler monkeys of Monkey River, Belize; this experience and education deepened his understanding of the intricate balances of ecosystems. His avid fascination for wildlife and passion for storytelling, drove Neil to a career as a wildlife photographer and filmmaker. He quickly landed on Feature Film sets, where he’s spent 15 years working on big-budget Hollywood films. Co-founding Terrasense brings Neil back to his first passion, wildlife, and doing everything to conserve it.
Marc Cretten
Technology
With a background in RF systems, electronics, and drone technology, Marc has spent years mastering wireless communications and signal optimization.
As Flight Operations Manager at Timeslice, he developed expertise in radio frequencies, telemetry, and airborne data collection. At Terrasense, Marc is the Technical Director, developing cutting-edge RF solutions that enable real-time, battery-free wildlife monitoring. His work ensures that conservationists can track animals with unprecedented accuracy while eliminating the risks of invasive GPS collars.
Terrasense Partners and Ambassadors
At Terrasense we are creating a network of Partners and Ambassadors who are leaders, specialist and advocates in conservation, research and animal welfare. Working alongside this community we are creating the right tools to aid conservation and research and also reduce the impact on the animals we strive to protect. Together we can create a sustainable future where wildlife thrives.
Terrasense Partners
Our first Parter is Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre, an organisation renowned for its high welfare and rehabilitation standards.
Terrasense is working with Umoya Khulula and conservationist Francois Meyer to support pangolin rehabilitation and rewilding using non-invasive tracking solutions. Umoya Khulula have agreed to use our prototype on the most trafficked animal in the world, Pangolins.
Another Vital partner to us is Pangolin.Africa
Continuing the trend of working with those who hold the highest standards for Pangolins, Pangolin.Africa has brought invaluable support to our team.
A special thank you to our growing list of donors, ensuring we can continue our work
Terrasense Ambassadors
The Individuals Who Amplify Our Conservation Efforts
Emma De-Jager
Co-owner at Umoya Khulula
Emma De-Jager has spent over 15 years in wildlife rehabilitation, working with more than 100 species of mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Emma is a co-owner at Umoya Khulula Wildlife Rehabilitation Center; Pangolin conservation is a key focus for both the Center and for her. As of today, she has successfully rehabilitated and released over 500 animals back into their natural habitats.
Francois Meyer
Conservation Ecologist
Francois Meyer, sometimes known as Kudu, is a conservation ecologist and active member of the IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group.
Meyer specializes in the reintroduction of Temminck’s pangolins recovered from the illegal wildlife trade, focusing on post-release monitoring and refining release protocols to maximize their survival. His fieldwork and expertise have been instrumental in shaping South Africa’s current release and monitoring guidelines.
Wim Van Den Heever
Wildlife Photographer
Wim Van den Heever is a wildlife photographer and a proud ambassador for Nikon and Craghoppers.
He is the owner of Tusk Photo, a company that specializes in high-end wildlife and nature photographic tours across the globe. Through his photography, he strives to raise awareness about the importance of conservation and inspire others to appreciate the beauty of our natural world. His work has been featured in renowned publications and exhibitions globally.
