Loke-Ming CHOU

Professor – National University of Singapore

Today’s Date: 24 July 2008

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

Cats

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

Grew up in a coastal village and simply loved the sea.

Now? Coral reefs - I find it very therapeutic to scuba dive at a reef.

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

The horse. It is strong, muscular, regal, quiet and steady.

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 behaviour remains the greatest challenge; has been so in the past and present and will continue to be in the future. 'Greed' overrides 'awareness'. For every one person who becomes aware of the need to protect biodiversity, twenty others will rampantly exploit and destroy it to fill their pockets.

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

Without nature, human survival is at risk.