Jens Brüggemann

Assistant Director Planning - Müritz National Park Authority

Today’s Date: 4 August 2008

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

I have had two most exciting experiences. First, scuba diving off the coast of Gorgona Island National Park, Colombia, where I felt being inmidst the most wonderful aquarium and second, the encounter with a Leopard in Nepal's Chitwan National Park (on the back of an elephant, luckily).

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

Spending all summer long in the countryside has shaped my love for nature.

Now? Today I am lucky experiencing nature everyday at a lake close to my home. And I am always inspired by the beauty of landscapes.

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

As a child, elephants were my favourite animals in the zoo because they were big and intelligent.

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?

1) Alienation from nature due to TV, Internet and lack of outdoor recreation.
2) Unequal access to basic resources and in meeting basic needs.
Both now and in the future, where the battle for clean potable water will be even more prominent.

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

Be a little more conscious about the impact of your doing and try to change your consumer behaviour in order to favour ecological products and services.