Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Can Beauty Save the Beast?


This morning, as I was doing some research for an article about celebrities helping endangered species, I hit a roadblock on Julia Roberts. 

Do you remember that documentary she did for PBS several years ago? The one about orangutans?


Yeah, well, it seems that Roberts was involved in an unruly incident while filming on location in the wilds of Borneo. 

What are the odds?

Apparently, a large male orangutan "made a move" on the movie star that involved a fair amount of grappling, both on the part of the ape and the film crew. 

I don't doubt that it was a frightening encounter for the Pretty Woman, but does it really deserve every Google search result? 

As you might imagine, the King Kong references have gone haywire, and now the whole affair is remembered as a cautionary tale about the big, bad orangutan rather than a celeb's honest effort to help an amazing species that's hovering on the edge of extinction.

So, here I am, doing my small part to bring the picture back into focus. 

Julia Roberts did leave the luxuries of her New York City stomping grounds to brave, of all places, Borneo (do you know how many kinds of biting bugs live in Borneo?). 

And not only did Julia tell us about the orangutans; she hugged them, crooned to them, shared her oranges with them, and did her darndest to make their existence matter to the world. Surely, that is worth remembering. 

The moral of the moment? Every big, hairy animal has its dangerous tendencies, but each is a cog in the wondrous wheel we call planet Earth. It's up to us to live accordingly.

Read more about Julia's orangutan expedition as well as Leo DiCaprio's tiger talks, Harrison Ford's protest of the wildlife trade, and more celeb consciousness here:


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

The Lorax and More: Books for Kids


If asked to name a book that has been truly influential in terms of endangered species awareness and basic ecological enlightenment, I'd probably answer ...


Scoff if you want. Call me simple. I stand by my selection. 

Sometimes the most complex messages are best conveyed in rhyme (or at least in plain language). And, hey, who better to absorb the message than kids? After all, they carry the torch of our planet's future.

If you're on the same page, you might also enjoy other books on my reading list:

Endangered Species Books for Kids





Thursday, August 9, 2012

Baring the "Bones" of the Endangered Pet Trade


Are you a fan of FOX's hit crime show, Bones?

If so, keep your eyes open this fall for an episode about the sale of endangered species on the black market

"It’s a story about smuggling endangered species into the states as pets,” Producer Stephen Nathan told TVLine

Old school TV: a promotional photo card from Garfield Goose and Friends (with Geronimo, the Capuchin monkey butler).

The episode won't air for a month or more, but it's already causing a stir among exotic pet owners

As I understand it, the show will focus on endangered species, which (in theory) are protected by CITES and related laws. So, it's not really a matter of exotics being bred in captivity (that's another storyline). 

It's hard enough to help endangered animals maintain footing in an increasingly uninhabitable world. I don't think there's any credible defense for wild capture, smuggling, and illegal sales.

Tune in and decide for yourself. 

Season 8 premieres on September 17.


Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Wild Wednesday Jobs Post


This will be my last Wild Wednesday Jobs Post for the foreseeable future, but I won't leave you empty handed. 

Below, you'll find an amazing opportunity to apply for the Refuge Manager position at Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in Hawaii. How cool would that be?

In addition, I'm including a list of online job boards that regularly post new positions in every facet of wildlife management. Good luck landing your dream job!

Photo courtesy of NOAA

Employer: Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (which includes the Midway Atoll and Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuges)
Location: Honolulu, HI
Basic Requirements: Please see the federal job announcement.
Duration: Permanent
Application Deadline: August 10, 2012

Online Job Boards:


Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Wild Wednesday Jobs Post


Scouting for work involving endangered species, wildlife, and the environment?

Stick around. You've reached a vantage point. 

As a former field biologist who has worked her way around the country, I know where to "go for the goods" when it comes to employment opportunities, and I'd love to help you land a job you love. I'll round up new announcements each week, and I'll post 5 findings here every Wednesday. 

Whether you're a newbie looking for an internship or a seasoned professional seeking a permanent position, you're likely to find a lead worth following. 

Photo by Robert Burton / USFWS
 
Location:  Island City, OR
Basic Requirements:  
1. High School Diploma or GED and 2 years relevant experience
2. Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing (be able to record data thoroughly and legibly).
3. Able to maintain project equipment in good working order, and report lost and/or damaged equipment to
supervisor.
4. Possess a valid driver's license and be able to drive and meet insurance requirements for government vehicles. Immediate reporting of accidents/damage to GSA or Tribal vehicles.
5. Demonstrate a satisfactory level of productivity and dependability based on previous employer references.
6. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees, the general public, landowners
and resource agency personnel.
Duration:  Permanent
Application Deadline: 8/7/12

Employer: Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Location: Lakeland, Florida
Basic Requirements:
A Bachelor's degree with a major in wildlife science, ecology, natural resources, or similar discipline preferred. Preference will be given to applicants with at least 5 years wildlife related professional experience and experience with wildlife-related education and outreach. Experience providing technical assistance to the public is also necessary. Knowledge of and experience with animal damage control techniques and familiarity with Florida’s native wildlife and exotic species a plus.
Duration: Permanent
Application Deadline: 8/3/12  

Job Title: Project Manager
Employer: WEST, Inc.
Location:  Waterbury, VT
Basic Requirements: The successful applicant will be someone capable of completing high quality, objective environmental consulting contracts.  The applicant will be able to build and maintain strong relationships with clients and regulatory personnel.  A Bachelor’s degree or higher within a natural resource related field is required.  A minimum of eight years of professional experience or five years of experience in environmental consulting is desired. A proven track record in the applicant’s field of expertise is a must and preference will be given to applicants with experience in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.  A proven ability to market clients and obtain environmental consulting contracts is strongly desired. The applicant must be willing and able to travel, have strong interpersonal and communication skills, and possess time management and organizational skills.
Duration: Permanent
Application Deadline: 8/31/12

Employer: University of Missouri
Location: Columbia, MO
Basic Requirements: We are seeking a Postdoctoral Associate to conduct a study of movements and resource use in endangered Red-cockaded Woodpeckers.  The postdoc will synthesize information from locations throughout the birds' range, and use those data to identify conditions associated with robust populations. At a finer scale, movement data will be used to study resource selection and ranging behavior. The research will likely appeal most to candidates interested in demography, movement, conservation, and the synthesis of the three.
Duration: 1 + years
Application Deadline:  8/3/12

Job Title: Keeper (Birds)
Employer: Chicago Zoological Society
Location: Brookfield, IL
Basic Requirements: Bachelor's degree in relevant biological field or equivalent combination of training and/or experience required.   A minimum of 2 years of experience working with birds in a captive setting preferred. Successful completion of Assistant Keeper probationary period or equivalent combination of training and/or experience in a zoo or aquarium required.
Incumbent must possess an understanding of practical principles of animal behavior and the ability to work with live animals safely.  Incumbent must demonstrate the ability to increase knowledge of natural history, zoology, and general animal husbandry of the species and individual animals in area(s) of experience.  
Duration:  Permanent
Application Deadline:  8/5/12