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Name: Mike
Birth Year: 1983 Education: BA/Journalism, BSc/Biology-2020, MA/African Studies Concentrations: Biodiversity, Conservation Biology, Ecology, Wildlife Biology 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 Other Interests: Reading, African cultures & music, ecology, 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 in upstate New York. At four, I developed a fascination for wildlife from photographs in National Geographic Magazine. African wildlife, in particular, came vividly to me through these pages, as well as in the book Serengeti: Natural Order on the African Plain by wildlife photographer, Mitsuaki Iwagō. So too did these amazing animals find their way into my small corner of the world through PBS's Nature television series with George Page. Though a world away, Africa was (and still is) a place unlike any other. I was, in short, spellbound.
My first visit was in 2005, visiting South Africa's beautiful lowveld, then spending some time in the Soweto township. From stepping foot inside the late President Nelson Mandela's home to watching passers-by on a warm, sunny South African Sunday morning while sipping coffee, 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, languages, songs, and stories. I've since journeyed throughout much of the continent as a wildlife researcher with a particular focus on lion biology and the ecology of other predator species, as well as elephant and rhino conservation, the economic challenges of land use and wildlife management, and mitigating human-wildlife conflict, all under the overarching theme of conservation biology. In addition to African wildlife, I remain fascinated with different animals elsewhere on Earth. I'm especially drawn to apex predators, with the Panthera genus being a personal favorite. Despite major differences, humans and large cats share some commonalities. My hope is that an increased understanding of such analogous behavioral patterns may perhaps establish better protection measures for remaining and future populations of these amazing creatures. Sincerest thanks (in no particular order) goes out to:
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 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 Special thanks to family & friends: Rachael Schwartz Gary, Nancy, & Emily Schwartz Michael Bowman Jonathan Brophy Ben Kinberg John Kozlowski Adam McGowen Sean Duffy |
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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