Endre Knudsen

PhD fellow, Department of Biology, University of Oslo

Today's Date: August 24, 2006

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Hard to say - maybe the year in childhood when we lived far, far away from home, in East Africa. Close to twenty years later, when I was fortunate to visit the region again, it smelled, looked and felt just like home, though it was not even the same country.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

I remember playing in the mysterious woods behind my friend's house. As my feet grew, they took me up into the mountains or fishing along the fjord.

Now? The woods of my childhood do not appear so large anymore, but I keep on dreaming about fishing in those mountain lakes. I also long for the roaring waves and smell of salt and rotten kelp.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?

Apart from my late dog, I am very fond of birds - in general, but seabirds in particular. They are the 'outsiders', solitarily roaming the seas, but gregarious when needed. However, my own species still shows some promise as well.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Now: Getting mankind to realize that we really are in a hurry and need to take actions quickly. Future: Human-induced climate change

5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Listen to the birds - we have a lot to learn from them.