Chris MacIntosh

Private Citizen

Jul 23, 2009

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

So hard to say, so many. Living now in the SF Bay Area, I am still astounded that I can go to see elephant seals in their natural environment every winter. That's one of those things I still think is only a "TV program" event. When I was perhaps 7 or 8, I remember going to the Edinburgh Zoo and seeing this sign "elephant seal". Of course I knew what an elephant was, and what a seal was, but the 2 names together? I was so awed when I moved here and discovered this almost-mythical animal right here!

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

Yellowstone NP will always have a huge place in my heart. I spent 3 summers working for the concession, moving there from Manhattan (NY). I first learned about hiking, backpacking, developed my curiosity about the natural world and geology, and have never been an urbanite again.

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

Domestic animal: cats "wild" or zoo animal: snow leopard evokes memories of childhood visits to Whipsnade Zoo, where they had a pair (this was back in the 1950s and 60s) which I thought were such beautiful cats with their markings and thick tails.

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?

Excessive population of humans: this magnifies the effects of everything else we do not respect enough to ensure the long-term survival and thriving of (sorry, terrible grammar).

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

Learn to share. Within the human community we try to help and not harm others. We should try to extend that attitude to other species.