Peter Luscomb

General Curator, Honolulu Zoo

Today's Date: 3 Oct 06

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

I spent five years as a child in Puerto Rico and during that time I had the opportunity to have horses. Horses gave me the ability and excuse to spend many hours out in the forest where I lived. It was during this period that I developed a love for exploring and enjoying nature.

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

My fondest memories are of the Grand Tetons in Wyoming . What a beautiful location with wonderful wildlife.

Now? Kuper Range in Papua New Guinea.

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

Iiwi (Vestiaria coccinea) A beautiful bird with a charismatic and great personality.

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?

human population and the impact we have on our environment

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

Conservation is about people and the impacts that they make on our ecosystems in the process of living. Many of our practices are exploitive, degrading and non sustainable. If these practices continue then the ecosystems we live in will be eventually degraded. As a conservation manager it is our responsibility to put value on maintaining an intact ecosystem, and encourage using the resources of that ecosystem on a sustainable basis.

The primary concerns are with habitat loss, ecosystem degradation, and exploitation of resources. Our work will need to focus on people, assisting them in developing sustainable practices that will allow them to meet their needs while preserving their native ecosystems.