Alison Sheehey

Nature Alley (http://natureali.org/)

Today's Date: 1/13/07

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

A Heermann's Kangaroo rat had been brought to me by a neighbor whose cat had injured it. As I am apt to do when caretaking animals, I left her alone for the most part and only addressed her immediate wounds and fed her. I had absolutely no experience with Kangaroo rats and did not realize that they are adapted to a desert environment and do not need supplemental water. I tried to give the animal mostly fresh greens from outside and did not realize by giving the animal so much moist material that it would have a problem. The rat was in its cage (a 5-gallon water bottle filled with soil) and began to stare at me intently. I went over and picked it up and it conveyed to me that it was desperate to be let down. I let it down on the floor at which point it peed profusely. I then picked it back up and it shuddered and conveyed a thank you to me. (No, it did not talk but I felt a really strong emotional response). Later I learned that Kangaroo Rats cleave oxygen and hydrogen atoms off of complex carbohydrates and create what is called metabolic water. Seventy percent of their bodily fluid is created this way, the other 30% comes from moist food and occasional sips of water. So, what I had done to this poor animal was overhydrated it and being a fastidious creature it would not soil its home. It needed to urinate away from its cage and when I picked it up and somehow we communicated on a very basic yet spiritual level. It made me realize that although humans are the most evolutionarily developed species we are so poor at understanding the connection between all life (heck our species can't even get along with others of different colors of our species let alone different species).

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

The woods across the street from my home. It was our secret place to explore, play, skate, and otherwise just have fun being alive.

Now? Anyplace on this earth that is open, free and natural. The U.S. National Park system where no hunters or off-roaders are allowed to destroy the silence are some of my favorite places. I actually strongly dislike anything city-fied as it reminds me of how disconnected we are.

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

That is like asking who your favorite child is... there is no one answer. Every animal has its strengths and weaknesses but as a whole they are all unique in their spirit (not just species but individuals). I respect the life within everything. My favorite groups of animals are the fluffy and feathery for the most part, but even insects provide countless hours of joy in studying how they are put together and how they behave.

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 overpopulation.... Human overpopulation.... Human overpopulation.... Global climate change.

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

Two is company 6.5 billion is a crowd, spay or neuter yourself and the one's you love today. If everyone continues to believe that destroying life of our fellow humans through famine, thirst, and war is more humane than just using our brains and conquering our overwhelming need to procreate, then we are not the superior species we think we are. If on the other hand we start taking family planning seriously, then heaven on earth is a real possibility. One child per couple per lifetime until the population drops down to sustainable levels will allow us to fix all of the environmental problems we have and will continue to create, if not then we will go the way of the dinosaurs and what a waste that will be!