On the evening of 12 January 2020, the Bangalore International Centre stage saw the confluence of two inspirational minds – wildlife biologists who are also great storytellers.
At the event, ‘George Schaller Out Front – Tracking a Legendary Naturalist’, hosted by the Centre for Wildlife Studies, in collaboration with BIC, a biopic capturing the essence of the legendary naturalist Dr. George Schaller’s work was screened. This was followed by a panel discussion, moderated by our Director Dr. K. Ullas Karanth, with Dr. Schaller and Miriam Horn (a renowned writer who’s currently working on Schaller’s biography). You can watch the entire discussion at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IngzOT4_ddw&t=2s
Both Dr. Schaller and Dr. Karanth discussed various aspects of wildlife conservation in India and other countries over the last five decades, especially where the former has worked, to study and conserve charismatic species including the mountain gorilla, the giant panda, the tiger and the African lion. The conservation scientists shared their incisive insights about the increasing immediacy to address climate change and what the best ways are for an aspiring wildlife biologist to pursue her/his passion. They recollected some of their most memorable experiences in the wild and had the audience – over 300 people – enraptured throughout the panel discussion.
Miriam Horn shared with the gathering the reward and the challenges of taking on a rather daunting task of writing the biography of one of the greatest naturalists of all time.
Dr. Schaller and Dr. Karanth, while also discussing the challenges facing conservation today, kept the discussion alive by peppering it with humorous recollections of their pasts. The floor was then open to questions and that allowed the audience to learn more about the work of all the three guests of the evening.
The CWS team was honoured to meet Dr. Schaller, who, at the end of the event, wished everyone the very best. The customary, memorable photograph from the meeting is here, one that will be cherished by all for a long, long time:
