Founder/Executive Director - HawkTalk, Speaking For The Wild
Today’s Date: 8/26/06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
The first owl patient that I met while working for a vet in 1983. It was life changing and put me on my current path
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Anywhere my daddy was...he was in the woods of north central Florida a lot and introduced me to the woods and water.
Now? In my swing by the pond throwing hornworms to the bullfrogs.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Owls. They are incredibly soft. They smell good. My owls have awesome personalities. They are very clean and rarely make a mess while feeding because they prefer to swallow their food whole. And last but not least, they are easier to clean up behind because they poop straight down as opposed to leaning over and slicing out like their hawk brethren.
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?
Breeding. And breeding.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Add contraception to all the drinking water EVERYWHERE and give the planet a rest to recover some of her natural resources.
Thanks to my sister Michelle McIlroy for designing the logo!
August 26, 2006
Shelley Soetosenojo
Environmental Officer/Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment, Suriname
Today's Date: 26 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
The caring and protective nature of my dog pets
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood? yes
Now? yes
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
the kangaroo, because of its beauty, cuddliness yet its very different from other animals of its sort.
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?
current/future environmental challenge: changing peoples attitude towards their environment
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
My advice would be: cherish it!
Today's Date: 26 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
The caring and protective nature of my dog pets
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood? yes
Now? yes
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
the kangaroo, because of its beauty, cuddliness yet its very different from other animals of its sort.
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?
current/future environmental challenge: changing peoples attitude towards their environment
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
My advice would be: cherish it!
Dr. Hugh Spencer
Director, Australian Tropical Research Foundation
Today's Date: 26/August/06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I can't be specific - canoeing in the W Ontario lakes perhaps. Bushwalking in Australia.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Wandering in the bushland at the bottom of my parents property on the central east coast of Australia.
Now? Watching the regrowth of the rainforest on the Research Station property and the recovery of the coastline as we remove exotic species.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Megabats - especially flying foxes. These large flying vegetarian proto-primates are highly engaging animals - think of lemurs with wings - they all have distinct personalities - rather like dogs.
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?
Overcoming the evolutionarily embedded anthropocentricity of our species - it's going to be hard, very hard.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
stop having children - the human population is already 10 (or more - depending on energy style) times the population number over what might be considered 'sustainable'. We somehow need a slow let-down of the population starting NOW - if we don't it will be a fast (and very messy) letdown – and the ones who can't vote (viz the environment) will really suffer.
Today's Date: 26/August/06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I can't be specific - canoeing in the W Ontario lakes perhaps. Bushwalking in Australia.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Wandering in the bushland at the bottom of my parents property on the central east coast of Australia.
Now? Watching the regrowth of the rainforest on the Research Station property and the recovery of the coastline as we remove exotic species.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Megabats - especially flying foxes. These large flying vegetarian proto-primates are highly engaging animals - think of lemurs with wings - they all have distinct personalities - rather like dogs.
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?
Overcoming the evolutionarily embedded anthropocentricity of our species - it's going to be hard, very hard.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
stop having children - the human population is already 10 (or more - depending on energy style) times the population number over what might be considered 'sustainable'. We somehow need a slow let-down of the population starting NOW - if we don't it will be a fast (and very messy) letdown – and the ones who can't vote (viz the environment) will really suffer.
Gretchen Ziegler
Zoo Manager, Sequoia Park Zoo
Today's Date: 8-25-06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Working with individual captive animals in zoos
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
My backyard, and a family farm
Now? Wildlife sanctuary behind our house
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Binturong, fantastic behaviors and personalities
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- habitat destruction in general due to over-consumption and over population; climate change
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Consume less and more conscientiously
Today's Date: 8-25-06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Working with individual captive animals in zoos
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
My backyard, and a family farm
Now? Wildlife sanctuary behind our house
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Binturong, fantastic behaviors and personalities
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- habitat destruction in general due to over-consumption and over population; climate change
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Consume less and more conscientiously
Dawn Glover
Education Officer - Cheetah Outreach, South Africa
Today's Date: 25.08.06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Having a personal encounter with a cheetah at an eco-tourism facility when I was a teenager. Whilst having always had pets growing up and a desire to work with animals, this encounter focused my goals and inspired me to work with cheetahs.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
no
Now? Not really, any wilderness area has its own beauty.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Cheetah, they are elegant, aristocratic, yet bond strongly to the humans caring for them. They are awe-inspiring when they are running, have such a fascinating history with mankind, yet purr when happy. There is nothing so humbling as realizing that you have the respect and love of a predator like the cheetah.
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?
Environmental Education is the greatest challenge and needs to be addressed at all age groups. There is a great lack of awareness of our impact on the earth’s resources and the resulting devastating decrease in biodiversity. I think that this will continue to be the biggest challenge for many years – developing environmentally literate and concerned citizens.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Conserve and protect – it is our future.
Today's Date: 25.08.06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Having a personal encounter with a cheetah at an eco-tourism facility when I was a teenager. Whilst having always had pets growing up and a desire to work with animals, this encounter focused my goals and inspired me to work with cheetahs.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
no
Now? Not really, any wilderness area has its own beauty.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Cheetah, they are elegant, aristocratic, yet bond strongly to the humans caring for them. They are awe-inspiring when they are running, have such a fascinating history with mankind, yet purr when happy. There is nothing so humbling as realizing that you have the respect and love of a predator like the cheetah.
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?
Environmental Education is the greatest challenge and needs to be addressed at all age groups. There is a great lack of awareness of our impact on the earth’s resources and the resulting devastating decrease in biodiversity. I think that this will continue to be the biggest challenge for many years – developing environmentally literate and concerned citizens.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Conserve and protect – it is our future.
Cathy Hopkins
Director, St Helena National Trust
Today's Date: 25 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Growing up in the south of England and enjoying bird watching with my Father, holidaying on the coast and experiencing the power of the sea.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
South Devon coast. A small cove which was always sheltered from the wind and calm enough to swim in!
Now? The Peaks of St Helena - ridges which are covered with endemic species particularly the tree ferns.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
The cat - have always had a cat - currently a Lilac pointed Siamese.
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?
Global warming brought about by man's greed! We know how to contain the threat but industry rules the politician and therefore measures which could have been taken in the early 60s were left and are still left undone. Too much rhetoric but too little action!
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Remember that we are only tenants and that what we have now and what we do to it , we leave for future generations.
Today's Date: 25 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Growing up in the south of England and enjoying bird watching with my Father, holidaying on the coast and experiencing the power of the sea.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
South Devon coast. A small cove which was always sheltered from the wind and calm enough to swim in!
Now? The Peaks of St Helena - ridges which are covered with endemic species particularly the tree ferns.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
The cat - have always had a cat - currently a Lilac pointed Siamese.
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?
Global warming brought about by man's greed! We know how to contain the threat but industry rules the politician and therefore measures which could have been taken in the early 60s were left and are still left undone. Too much rhetoric but too little action!
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Remember that we are only tenants and that what we have now and what we do to it , we leave for future generations.
Hans Frey
Tzt. Dr., University of Vet. Med. Vienna
Today's Date: 25 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
It is not the species, it is it`s behaviour, it is the key to the relationship to a species, you start to understand it, to respect it, to love it. For me no difference between an ant, a bird of prey, a fox or whatever.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
No, I enjoyed every place where I could watch animals or plants. Even in a house or room. But I preferred silent places if possible without people.
Now? Nothing changed.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I have no favorite animal, but I concentrate my work on threatened species.
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?
The growing number of men, the character of men in connection with the capacity of our brain.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Let it be.
Today's Date: 25 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
It is not the species, it is it`s behaviour, it is the key to the relationship to a species, you start to understand it, to respect it, to love it. For me no difference between an ant, a bird of prey, a fox or whatever.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
No, I enjoyed every place where I could watch animals or plants. Even in a house or room. But I preferred silent places if possible without people.
Now? Nothing changed.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I have no favorite animal, but I concentrate my work on threatened species.
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?
The growing number of men, the character of men in connection with the capacity of our brain.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Let it be.
Maria Diekmann
Founder/Director - Rare & Endangered Species Trust (REST), Namibia
Today's Date: 25 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Working with poisoned animals in rehab, handling and discovering new things about wild vultures.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
the woods at the back of our house.
Now? home in Africa
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
everyone thinks vultures, but really don’t have one. When I see a beautiful Giraffe I go wild. Same with a single Oryx antelope and pretty much all others. Sounds pat, but true
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?
Apathy on both counts. People are well meaning, but truly most environmental issues do not change their daily life – esp. in the first world thus they are easy to forget. We will probably never have the whole world interested in the environment, but I have seen small numbers of people (kids’ science projects, farmers without poison, visitors to our centre etc - make big important changes for their communities so I know that works.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Try to put 4 hours a month into care about something in the environment. 4 hrs is not too much to check out environmental websites on the internet, donate a Saturday morning to your local animal shelter and walk a dog for them, buy a new garbage container for recycling glass or organize the community to clean up a park. We often wait for others to take the lead - Why?
Today's Date: 25 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Working with poisoned animals in rehab, handling and discovering new things about wild vultures.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
the woods at the back of our house.
Now? home in Africa
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
everyone thinks vultures, but really don’t have one. When I see a beautiful Giraffe I go wild. Same with a single Oryx antelope and pretty much all others. Sounds pat, but true
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?
Apathy on both counts. People are well meaning, but truly most environmental issues do not change their daily life – esp. in the first world thus they are easy to forget. We will probably never have the whole world interested in the environment, but I have seen small numbers of people (kids’ science projects, farmers without poison, visitors to our centre etc - make big important changes for their communities so I know that works.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Try to put 4 hours a month into care about something in the environment. 4 hrs is not too much to check out environmental websites on the internet, donate a Saturday morning to your local animal shelter and walk a dog for them, buy a new garbage container for recycling glass or organize the community to clean up a park. We often wait for others to take the lead - Why?
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