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CARE TO THE MAX
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Make sure that you care about everything that you do, everything that you think about, and everything that experience. It may seem as though some things are insignificant and not worth your time, but the truth is that everything affects you one way or another. If you choose not to care, then you pay the price by not being cared about in some capacity. If you believe to the Max, you will also realize that you are required to care because there is a greater purpose than the physical world can offer. Either way, you have the opportunity everyday to make a difference in your world, so do it. Care!
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ZOOS: A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A CARING FORCE
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Because we are in a time where the Earth is changing drastically at a deadly and unsustainable rate and where the ecosystems of our planet are disappearing faster than ever, zoological institutions are more important than ever to the survival of our world. Zoos are invaluable sources of scientific research, public environmental education, conservation fundraising, and easy-to-access exposure to nature and all of its wonder. Zoos also play a big role in saving and breeding endangered animal populations as well as providing homes for countless animals that could not be released into the wild. Our world is in a dire situation, but it would be far worse without conservation organizations such as zoos helping to make the world a better place.
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For those who either are uncomfortable with the idea of zoos or wish to learn more about their importance to our society, I highly recommend reading my research paper entitled Why The United States Needs Its Zoos (Click on the link in the next part of this page). I feel as though I am very knowledgeable and fully qualified to discuss this topic, as I have worked and volunteered in many different ways at zoos, visited many across the United States, and have spoken with many professionals at these institutions. There is no substitute for reading my paper, but if you want the general take away, it is this: zoos may not be perfect, but they do a lot of good for our world and are a necessary component of our society.
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WHY THE UNITED STATES NEEDS ITS ZOOS
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JUST A FEW OF THE SPECIES THAT ZOOS ARE HELPING TO SAVE
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Madagascar is the only place in the world where lemurs are found in the wild. It is also one of the poorest nations in the world, and as a result has a very high deforestation rate. Over 90% of Madagascar's forests have been cleared and it is very likely that more will be cleared in the future, so the situation is critical for the island's wildlife, including lemurs. Zoos across the world exhibit and breed lemurs representing a wide range of species, helping contribute to captive breeding programs and educating the public about the predicament of the lemurs.
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The population of the California Condor declined to no more than 22 birds, but was miraculously brought back up to a semi-stable number of around 400 individuals thanks to the hard work of California's zoos. Without zoos, this species would simply not exist anymore. Today, California's zoos are still putting a lot of hard work into keeping the California Condor population healthy and are working with the state and other organizations to ensure this bird's long term survival.
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Across the globe, big predators have received a lot of persecution and for many, zoos are the last safe zone for them to live. This is especially true for the big cats, which are the most specialized of the predatory mammals. Besides giving them a place to live, zoos are also working to educate people about the issues that these amazing animals are facing. Many zoos also participate in big cat research and fundraise for conservation and research efforts.
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Many groups of animals are affected by the pet trade, but few are affected as much as parrots and macaws. Priced for both their colors and stereotyped ability to make human speech, parrots and macaws are being taken from their homes in large numbers, a major threat that is lowering their numbers in addition to habitat destruction. Zoos provide homes for many parrots and macaws that end up confiscated by airport security after trying to be smuggled into the United States. These birds end up as ambassadors to their species, allowing zoos to educate visitors about the plight of the parrots.
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While habitat destruction is certainly a major threat to elephants, they also have to deal with poaching. Their ivory tusks are so valuable, that they have been often called "white gold." Zoos do a ridiculous amount of work to help elephants, including breeding captive elephants, educating the public, and also fundraising for elephant research and conservation. Many zoos also participate in World Elephant Day, a global event meant to bring awareness to the conservation of elephants.
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Looney Tunes has made the Tazmanian Devil seem so familiar to us that it is hard to believe that this species is in peril. A contagious facial tumor disease developed in the wild population of Tazimanain Devils and quickly spread, wiping out most of the wild population at an incredibly fast rate. The last healthy individuals were taken out of Tazmanian and moved to zoos, where they will stay until the disease has dissipated. Without the help of zoos, this species would be extinct right now.
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HOW I PLAN TO TRY TO SAVE THE WORLD
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Although I care about many different things, the concepts that I focus most of my passions and career ambitions on is the conservation of our planet's resources. Although we will never be sure, climate change seems to exist and its negative affects could become a lot worse than what we have already experienced. The effects we have seen already are devastating enough, so it is clear that something must be done if future generations are to have an acceptable world to inhabit. Indirectly and directly, creating and assisting the many aspects of this change is what my career is going to be about as a zoologist and conservation. I do not expect to be successful, but the attempt is what matters here. Already I have done much to help spread the word about the importance of the environment and its features. Two particularly impactful positions that I have already maintained to accomplish this are as a Los Angeles Zoo volunteer and as a Snowy Plover Docent at Coal Oil Point Reserve in Santa Barbara, California. Both of these positions have allowed me to spread the word about conservation and the importance of the environment to others and I continue to contribute to these institutions and their efforts to this day. I am so glad that I have been able to help so much at such an early stage in my career.
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DO YOUR PART AND CARE
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