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Name: Mike
YOB: 1983 Education: BA/Journalism, BSc/Biology-2019, MA/African Studies Concentrations: Biodiversity, Conservation Biology, Ecology, Zoology Field Experience: Since 2005 Countries: Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, South Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe Affiliations: National Geographic Society, East African Wild Life Society, Mongabay, Uganda Carnivore Program, Uganda Wildlife Authority Research Focus: Panthera leo biology, mitigating human-wildlife conflict, African cultures within a wildlife conservation context Other Interests: African cultures & music, African fauna, biology & conservation of wild felids, biogeography, mammalogy Favorite Places: Welgevonden Game Reserve & Murchison Falls National Park My love of Africa began around 1987 in the small city of Schenectady, New York. As a youngster, I developed an aesthetic appreciation of the Serengeti from photographs in National Geographic Magazine and in the pages of the book Serengeti: Natural Order on the African Plain by photographer, Mitsuaki Iwagō. My fascination with African animals also came from watching PBS's Nature documentaries with George Page. Though a world away, Africa was (and still is) a place unlike any other. I was hooked. My first visit was in 2005, visiting South Africa's beautiful lowveld, then spending time in Johannesburg's township of Soweto. From stepping foot in former President Nelson Mandela's home to watching outdoor musicians and passers-by on a warm, sunny South African Sunday morning, Soweto was where I discovered that my passion for Africa's wildlife was matched by compassion for, and curiosity about, the African people -- their history, cultures, songs, stories, languages, and love of life. I've since journeyed throughout much of the continent as a researcher with a particular focus on lion biology, elephants and rhinos, the economics of land use and wildlife management, and mitigating human-wildlife conflict, all under the overarching theme of conservation biology. I go to learn, to listen, and to help when I can. - mike Thanks Sincerest thanks (in no particular order) goes out to the following individuals: Craig Packer - Director, Serengeti Lion Project Ludwig Siefert - Wildlife Veterinarian, Uganda Carnivore Program Dan Stiles - Member, IUCN/SSC African Elephant Specialist Group Mike Norton-Griffiths - Consultant, Conservation Economics Laurence Frank - Project Director, Living With Lions Philipp Henschel - Lion Program Coordinator, Panthera Luke Hunter - Chief Conservation Officer, Panthera Byron du Preez - Oxford University/WildCRU Hwange Big Cat Project Robb Edgecomb - Safari Tour Operator, Executive Breakaway Tours Walter Jubber - Safari Tour Operator Corporal Sam Loware - Uganda Wildlife Authority Henry Buzu - Uganda Wildlife Authority Moses Konde - Director, Nature Adventure Africa Safaris Moses Agaba - Tour Guide, Nature Adventure Africa Safaris Emma Nsubuga - Tour Guide, Nature Adventure Africa Safaris Loupa Pius - Officer, Agro-pastoralist Development Organization David Braun - Director, Voices for Wildlife, National Geographic Oliver Payne - Articles Editor, National Geographic Tom Gilks - Picture Editor, BBC Wildlife Ben Hoare - Features Editor, BBC Wildlife Andy Hill - Editor, East African Wild Life Society George Okello - Editor, East African Wild Life Society John Nyaga - Editor, East African Wild Life Society Sebastian Kennerknecht - Big Cat Photographer John Mbaria - Author, The Big Conservation Lie Mordecai Ogada - Author, The Big Conservation Lie Jonathan S. Adams - Author, The Myth of Wild Africa Thomas O. McShane - Author, The Myth of Wild Africa Glen Martin - Author, Game Changer: Animal Rights and the Fate of Africa's Wildlife Justin Donnelly - former boss and mentor Special Thanks To family and friends for your continued support: Rachael Schwartz - amazing wife & best friend Arthur & Josephine Schwartz William Antalek Gary, Nancy, & Emily Schwartz Jonathan Brophy Sean Duffy Ben Kinberg Mike Bowman John Kozlowski Adam McGowen |
Bwindi Rainforest
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Mweya Peninsula
The incomparable, irreplaceable Mrs. Schwartz!
Uganda Carnivore Program/National Geographic collaboration
Bush Lodge
Oh, and remember: next Friday is Hawaiian shirt day.
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