Zoos and Aquariums Committing to Conservation

For some of us, the word "conservation" conjures images of people chained to trees, for others, cuddly baby animals, and maybe some of us think of that crying Native American guy. This week I attended a conference in Seattle held by an organization called Zoos and Aquariums Committing to Conservation, so I had some time to think about what conservation really means to me.

Although sitting for 8 hours a day in the Sheraton Hotel might not seem like the most exciting way to spend a week, I was riveted. Rather than provide you with a play-by-play of the presentations (though I'm sure that would be thrilling) I'm going to highlight a few things I learned.

1.) Due to the introduction of the gray wolf into neighboring states, Washington state is now home to 17 wolves in 3 packs. Yay! Not everyone is as enthusiastic about wolves in the state as I am; preemptive measures are already underway to help mediate human/wolf conflict. Historically, almost 100% of these conflicts will involve human aggressors.

2.) Rubbing ground chili peppers on wire fencing will keep Asian elephants out of your crops (but not African elephants).

3.) Mars (the company, not the planet) is surprisingly socially responsible. The company sent a delegate to present about their program which employs indigenous people to pick the cocoa beans they use to make their chocolate. The local women use bark from the sustainably grown cocoa trees to make paper, which you can purchase here. Additionally, the company's Sustainable Solutions department has found a way to make all of their chocolate without the palm oil that is so destructive to the rainforest, and they're working on ways to get palm oil out of all their other products too. So everyone, eat Snickers, M&M's, Milkyways and Dove chocolates with a clear conscience!

4.) Reportedly, a chocolate shortage looms on the horizon. I didn't want to believe it, and after doing a little digging, it seems that it might be possible to avert the decline in the availability of the cocoa bean. We can only hope.

5.) Genetic scientists and virologists now believe that HIV jumped in several isolated events from non-human primates (several different species) to a human via activities involved in the bushmeat trade.

Also, scientists previously thought the strain of the virus found in chimps (SIV) was asymptomatic, but recent studies show 10-fold increase in early death for infected chimps.

Zoos are helping conduct so many exciting conservation projects all over the world. Despite the somewhat gloomy outlook for a lot of species and wild places, the overall vibe at ZACC was very positive. We CAN reverse this trend!

To prove it to you, here are some gratuitous pictures of animals I took at the Woodland Park Zoo.

A Brush with Fame: National Geographic and ABC

I'm just going to have to face it: I am not compelling enough for television. I'm barely entertaining enough to have a blog. So, as much as I would like to use media sources to get the word out about ways to conserve and be greener etc., I'm no Jeff Corwin.

Almost, but not quite.

Fortunately, there are journalists out there who are taking care of business. One such journalist is Dan Harris of ABC's Good Morning America, who attended a day of the ZACC (Zoos and Aquariums Committing to Conservation) conference. After delivering a keynote address, he moderated a presentation session emphasizing conservation through media and art. I also attended a similarly-focused round-table discussion he led, during which Dan Harris invited us to pitch ideas for Good Morning America stories. So I contemplated what sort of bit I could suggest.

Selfishly, I wanted to be part of the story and yet, it turns out I'm boring. I did think of a couple of Point Defiance Zoo-related stories that Mr. Harris might be interested in, but all media attention falls squarely in the laps of the full-time staff. At least 57% of me wanted to answer, "As a matter of fact, I am incredibly compelling." But I will have to earn my fifteen minutes of fame another way.

As if my attendance at Comic Con weren't enough to confirm my social awkwardness, after the round-table discussion I approached Dan Harris and said, "At the risk of being a complete dork, if you don't mind, I would really like to have a picture taken with you." He smiled and said, "Of course."

"But wait," I continued. "I'm going to get dorkier. I would really like it if the gentleman from National Geographic would take the picture." There was indeed a director of research from National Geographic sitting directly behind us.

Dan Harris swiftly and politely asked Kyler Abernathy of National Geographic if he would please indulge me and take the photo. Here it is:

That's right. The director of research at National Geographic took my picture with an anchor from ABC. That is as close as I'll get to fame.

So the picture FEELS like this:

More information about the ZACC conference will follow, but if you're dying for some saving-an-adorable-animal-in-peril coverage, watch this story about tree kangaroos. Also, Mr. Abernathy is part of the team behind National Geographic's Crittercam, through which you can swim with humpback whales and watch the pursuit of an octopus from a sea lion's perspective. If you haven't seen Crittercam's stunning footage yet, you absolutely must.

And, in the meantime, if you think of any fascinating stories that would make compelling journalism, let me know. Also, I'm totally willing to be on a reality TV show about zoos. Just throwing that out there.