Les U. Knight

Editor - These EXIT Times http://vhemt.org

Today’s Date: 29 October 2008

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

Gaining an appreciation for wildlife habitat and seeing it sacrificed for human habitat.

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

Growing up in the high desert of Eastern Oregon, the creek intermittently running through my town provided a constantly changing, linear playground. The water was polluted by drain fields from septic tanks, so we had to be careful with cuts and couldn't lick the ice nor swim in it on the rare occasions that it got deep enough.

Now? Now my favorite place outdoors is my own backyard, where I can play without disturbing wildlife much.

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

Like most people, my favorite animal is the human. Some of my best friends are humans. I relate to them better than any other animal, though I'm partial to the other great apes as well. Like most animals, we get mentally unbalanced in cages, and should be running wildly in troupes, but there's not enough habitat left for reintroduction. Our captive breeding program has been all too successful.

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?

Every environmental challenge has its roots in human activities and is exacerbated by our increase. We began causing extinctions tens of thousands of years ago and have accelerated the rate as we become more numerous. Reversing this direction is our greatest challenge now and in the future.

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

Before creating another of us, please consider the environmental impact a new human will have in his or her lifetime. Thank you for not breeding.