Mel Enright

Private citizen

Today’s Date: 7 December 2008

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

my dogs, they have improved the quality of both mine and my husband’s lives

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

my family home backed onto a creek and open paddocks where I and all my friends kept our horses, it was wonderful.

Now? Double Island Point, a sand Island near Fraser Island in Queensland, Australia. Our family camped on the beach there every year when the kids were growing up, it was amazing, sunrises over the ocean watching pods of dolphins playing in the surf. In the winter we had the whole stretch of beach to our selves, its my favorite place in the world

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

Orangutan, because they are so caring and sensitive to each other, their like watching little children, so innocent and beautiful.

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 deforestation of the rainforests. the extinction of many rainforest species, decline in air quality, change in weather patterns and lack of rain

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

Be aware of what you are putting into your shopping trolley because you could be unwittingly supporting the destruction of natural habitats/rainforests without being aware of it. consumers have power with their shopping dollars I wish they would research what their money is supporting.