[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] nice to be here
nice to be here
nice to be here thank you all for having me and let’s
thank you all for having me and let’s
thank you all for having me and let’s get one thing clear at upfront I am NOT
get one thing clear at upfront I am NOT
get one thing clear at upfront I am NOT a scientist I am NOT a botanist I’m not
a scientist I am NOT a botanist I’m not
a scientist I am NOT a botanist I’m not a zoologist I’m not a biologist I am a
a zoologist I’m not a biologist I am a
a zoologist I’m not a biologist I am a writer and as a writer I’m nosy I tend
writer and as a writer I’m nosy I tend
writer and as a writer I’m nosy I tend to sit in coffee shops and listen to
to sit in coffee shops and listen to
to sit in coffee shops and listen to what everybody else is saying and then I
what everybody else is saying and then I
what everybody else is saying and then I take it home and I write it down
take it home and I write it down
take it home and I write it down and I steal all you good stuff and you
and I steal all you good stuff and you
and I steal all you good stuff and you got good stuff I don’t have good stuff
got good stuff I don’t have good stuff
got good stuff I don’t have good stuff because I’m sitting at home behind the
because I’m sitting at home behind the
because I’m sitting at home behind the laptop every day I don’t have an
laptop every day I don’t have an
laptop every day I don’t have an exciting life except when I travel so my
exciting life except when I travel so my
exciting life except when I travel so my idea is that arts are gonna save the
idea is that arts are gonna save the
idea is that arts are gonna save the world writers painters musicians those
world writers painters musicians those
world writers painters musicians those people are gonna help you people you
people are gonna help you people you
people are gonna help you people you scientists to save the world and I do
scientists to save the world and I do
scientists to save the world and I do have proof about a year ago actually a
have proof about a year ago actually a
have proof about a year ago actually a couple years ago I moved from Roxboro
couple years ago I moved from Roxboro
couple years ago I moved from Roxboro North Carolina which is a little town
North Carolina which is a little town
North Carolina which is a little town that gets the most snow of any place in
that gets the most snow of any place in
that gets the most snow of any place in the area to Durham and when I moved
the area to Durham and when I moved
the area to Durham and when I moved there my townhome was surrounded by
there my townhome was surrounded by
there my townhome was surrounded by trees about six months after I moved
trees about six months after I moved
trees about six months after I moved there
there
there this is what I saw every day and there
this is what I saw every day and there
this is what I saw every day and there was one day when I was walking by with
was one day when I was walking by with
was one day when I was walking by with my dog and I thought wow there’s a lot
my dog and I thought wow there’s a lot
my dog and I thought wow there’s a lot of trees gone in that 50 acres and when
of trees gone in that 50 acres and when
of trees gone in that 50 acres and when my grandson was in the car with me about
my grandson was in the car with me about
my grandson was in the car with me about a week later he pointed and said Wow
a week later he pointed and said Wow
a week later he pointed and said Wow Nana look at all the tractors look at
Nana look at all the tractors look at
Nana look at all the tractors look at the bulldozers I said there’s no trees
the bulldozers I said there’s no trees
the bulldozers I said there’s no trees he says you know what I read a book that
he says you know what I read a book that
he says you know what I read a book that talked about Beasley the bird who lived
talked about Beasley the bird who lived
talked about Beasley the bird who lived in the tree and his millions of friends
in the tree and his millions of friends
in the tree and his millions of friends and how they all disappeared when the
and how they all disappeared when the
and how they all disappeared when the tree got taken out and I thought yep
tree got taken out and I thought yep
tree got taken out and I thought yep that’s how this kid learns about science
that’s how this kid learns about science
that’s how this kid learns about science and you know what you asked him to do
and you know what you asked him to do
and you know what you asked him to do something with you he wants to build a
something with you he wants to build a
something with you he wants to build a volcano mind you he’s five wants to
volcano mind you he’s five wants to
volcano mind you he’s five wants to build a volcano because he wants to play
build a volcano because he wants to play
build a volcano because he wants to play science he wants to do stuff that has
science he wants to do stuff that has
science he wants to do stuff that has something to do with getting your hands
something to do with getting your hands
something to do with getting your hands into it and learning about it
into it and learning about it
into it and learning about it so my idea my life’s work has been to
so my idea my life’s work has been to
so my idea my life’s work has been to let people know what other people are
let people know what other people are
let people know what other people are thinking and doing but I don’t think
thinking and doing but I don’t think
thinking and doing but I don’t think that’s a nothing more I think I have to
that’s a nothing more I think I have to
that’s a nothing more I think I have to let them know about the world and about
let them know about the world and about
let them know about the world and about what’s happening to the world because
what’s happening to the world because
what’s happening to the world because we’re growing too fast we’re taking out
we’re growing too fast we’re taking out
we’re growing too fast we’re taking out 50 acres of trees and every one of those
50 acres of trees and every one of those
50 acres of trees and every one of those trees has a million lives that rely on
trees has a million lives that rely on
trees has a million lives that rely on that tree
that tree
that tree so my work now has a lot of
so my work now has a lot of
so my work now has a lot of environmental aspects to it and it comes
environmental aspects to it and it comes
environmental aspects to it and it comes from traveling and it comes from being
from traveling and it comes from being
from traveling and it comes from being nosey and a councillor sitting and
nosey and a councillor sitting and
nosey and a councillor sitting and listening to everybody else’s
listening to everybody else’s
listening to everybody else’s conversations and seeing what everybody
conversations and seeing what everybody
conversations and seeing what everybody else is doing in the world so let me
else is doing in the world so let me
else is doing in the world so let me tell you some stories a couple of years
tell you some stories a couple of years
tell you some stories a couple of years ago I was in Thailand and I went there
ago I was in Thailand and I went there
ago I was in Thailand and I went there because my mother loved elephants she
because my mother loved elephants she
because my mother loved elephants she had all these tchotchkes anybody know
had all these tchotchkes anybody know
had all these tchotchkes anybody know what a tchotchke is it’s those totally
what a tchotchke is it’s those totally
what a tchotchke is it’s those totally useless things that everybody gives you
useless things that everybody gives you
useless things that everybody gives you and you have them all over your house
and you have them all over your house
and you have them all over your house and all they’re good for is gathering
and all they’re good for is gathering
and all they’re good for is gathering dust but my mother loved these elephants
dust but my mother loved these elephants
dust but my mother loved these elephants because she knew their social structure
because she knew their social structure
because she knew their social structure she knew that they were part of a family
she knew that they were part of a family
she knew that they were part of a family the one I went to Thailand I visited an
the one I went to Thailand I visited an
the one I went to Thailand I visited an elephant sanctuary in her memory and
elephant sanctuary in her memory and
elephant sanctuary in her memory and while I was there I was standing on the
while I was there I was standing on the
while I was there I was standing on the platform you walk in it’s a huge nine
platform you walk in it’s a huge nine
platform you walk in it’s a huge nine hundred thousand acre place with
hundred thousand acre place with
hundred thousand acre place with approximately there was twenty four
approximately there was twenty four
approximately there was twenty four elephants there at that time lots of ox
elephants there at that time lots of ox
elephants there at that time lots of ox dogs cats anything that needed to be
dogs cats anything that needed to be
dogs cats anything that needed to be rescued was there when I was standing on
rescued was there when I was standing on
rescued was there when I was standing on the platform meeting the group of
the platform meeting the group of
the platform meeting the group of elephants for the first time there was
elephants for the first time there was
elephants for the first time there was one old elephant that came up and just
one old elephant that came up and just
one old elephant that came up and just kind of connect
kind of connect
kind of connect did with me I – I come to find out who
did with me I – I come to find out who
did with me I – I come to find out who was flying into one I was we were
was flying into one I was we were
was flying into one I was we were feeding them they eat most of the day I
feeding them they eat most of the day I
feeding them they eat most of the day I mean if you kept feeding an elephant
mean if you kept feeding an elephant
mean if you kept feeding an elephant they would keep on eating
they would keep on eating
they would keep on eating so we’re feeding them I had my rings on
so we’re feeding them I had my rings on
so we’re feeding them I had my rings on little did I think it’s a hundred
little did I think it’s a hundred
little did I think it’s a hundred degrees it’s Thailand its moist
degrees it’s Thailand its moist
degrees it’s Thailand its moist you know it’s beyond moist it’s like my
you know it’s beyond moist it’s like my
you know it’s beyond moist it’s like my body is raining and this elephant wants
body is raining and this elephant wants
body is raining and this elephant wants the food so I’m giving him the food and
the food so I’m giving him the food and
the food so I’m giving him the food and he takes some of this rotten squash
he takes some of this rotten squash
he takes some of this rotten squash that’s kind of going through my fingers
that’s kind of going through my fingers
that’s kind of going through my fingers and he takes off my ring which my sister
and he takes off my ring which my sister
and he takes off my ring which my sister had given to me and it’s about nine feet
had given to me and it’s about nine feet
had given to me and it’s about nine feet to the ground the elephant’s about eight
to the ground the elephant’s about eight
to the ground the elephant’s about eight feet tall I was a little bit above him
feet tall I was a little bit above him
feet tall I was a little bit above him he dropped it on the ground and one of
he dropped it on the ground and one of
he dropped it on the ground and one of the mahouts who’s a trainer for the
the mahouts who’s a trainer for the
the mahouts who’s a trainer for the elephants was next to me and he’s
elephants was next to me and he’s
elephants was next to me and he’s jabbering away I said my ring is on the
jabbering away I said my ring is on the
jabbering away I said my ring is on the ground and he’s like don’t know what
ground and he’s like don’t know what
ground and he’s like don’t know what you’re saying lady I speak Thai you’re
you’re saying lady I speak Thai you’re
you’re saying lady I speak Thai you’re English you know but don’t have a clue
English you know but don’t have a clue
English you know but don’t have a clue my ring is on the ground the elephant
my ring is on the ground the elephant
my ring is on the ground the elephant looks at me looks at them mahute my ring
looks at me looks at them mahute my ring
looks at me looks at them mahute my ring please can you get my ring on the
please can you get my ring on the
please can you get my ring on the elephant looks at them how it’s like
elephant looks at them how it’s like
elephant looks at them how it’s like dude seriously picks the ring up with
dude seriously picks the ring up with
dude seriously picks the ring up with his trunk brings it back up and drops it
his trunk brings it back up and drops it
his trunk brings it back up and drops it at my feet
at my feet
at my feet I’m like Alvin smarter than you
I’m like Alvin smarter than you
I’m like Alvin smarter than you seriously elephant smarter than you are
seriously elephant smarter than you are
seriously elephant smarter than you are that elephant even though he was a male
that elephant even though he was a male
that elephant even though he was a male became Sophie in my novel the morning
became Sophie in my novel the morning
became Sophie in my novel the morning parade sophie was a very abused elephant
parade sophie was a very abused elephant
parade sophie was a very abused elephant and I used her to tell the story of what
and I used her to tell the story of what
and I used her to tell the story of what was going on in these elephants lives
was going on in these elephants lives
was going on in these elephants lives there’s a lot more to elephants lives
there’s a lot more to elephants lives
there’s a lot more to elephants lives that I learned as a result of this visit
that I learned as a result of this visit
that I learned as a result of this visit and when I came back home I put a lot of
and when I came back home I put a lot of
and when I came back home I put a lot of that information into the novel since
that information into the novel since
that information into the novel since then I have had people who used to send
then I have had people who used to send
then I have had people who used to send me I’m on Facebook sorry
me I’m on Facebook sorry
me I’m on Facebook sorry they used to send me these videos of
they used to send me these videos of
they used to send me these videos of elephants with a paintbrush or I just
elephants with a paintbrush or I just
elephants with a paintbrush or I just went to Thailand or Vietnam or Africa or
went to Thailand or Vietnam or Africa or
went to Thailand or Vietnam or Africa or wherever and they’re on the back of an
wherever and they’re on the back of an
wherever and they’re on the back of an elephant or doing something silly that
elephant or doing something silly that
elephant or doing something silly that elephants don’t do sorry elephants don’t
elephants don’t do sorry elephants don’t
elephants don’t do sorry elephants don’t know how to paint they are putting
know how to paint they are putting
know how to paint they are putting crushes which are boxes and they’re
crushes which are boxes and they’re
crushes which are boxes and they’re crushed until they behave themselves and
crushed until they behave themselves and
crushed until they behave themselves and do what that person wants them to do
do what that person wants them to do
do what that person wants them to do they don’t know anything about dancing
they don’t know anything about dancing
they don’t know anything about dancing when you see an elephant going like this
when you see an elephant going like this
when you see an elephant going like this that’s anxiety folks that’s not dancing
that’s anxiety folks that’s not dancing
that’s anxiety folks that’s not dancing to the music a lot of stuff I learned
to the music a lot of stuff I learned
to the music a lot of stuff I learned and these people who were sending me
and these people who were sending me
and these people who were sending me these videos now know that’s not right
these videos now know that’s not right
these videos now know that’s not right and they’re passing that word on to
and they’re passing that word on to
and they’re passing that word on to somebody else I’m not taking
somebody else I’m not taking
somebody else I’m not taking responsibility for you know changes in
responsibility for you know changes in
responsibility for you know changes in the belief system about what elephants
the belief system about what elephants
the belief system about what elephants do whatever just saying my novel did
do whatever just saying my novel did
do whatever just saying my novel did that my art did that
so these guys I think a dolphin’s is my
so these guys I think a dolphin’s is my spirit animals and I just love their
spirit animals and I just love their
spirit animals and I just love their faces I love their brains I love the
faces I love their brains I love the
faces I love their brains I love the fact that they have fun they’re sexually
fact that they have fun they’re sexually
fact that they have fun they’re sexually active these guys I love so I went to
active these guys I love so I went to
active these guys I love so I went to Hawaii a few years ago I do a lot of
Hawaii a few years ago I do a lot of
Hawaii a few years ago I do a lot of traveling and I was on the beach on the
traveling and I was on the beach on the
traveling and I was on the beach on the big island which is the big island is
big island which is the big island is
big island which is the big island is Hawaii watching a a whale that was
Hawaii watching a a whale that was
Hawaii watching a a whale that was breaching over and over and over I don’t
breaching over and over and over I don’t
breaching over and over and over I don’t know if you know anything about whales
know if you know anything about whales
know if you know anything about whales but their flukes are like fingerprints
but their flukes are like fingerprints
but their flukes are like fingerprints every one of them is different so I
every one of them is different so I
every one of them is different so I could tell that this particular whale
could tell that this particular whale
could tell that this particular whale had breached and breached and breached
had breached and breached and breached
had breached and breached and breached so many times something was going on my
so many times something was going on my
so many times something was going on my husband and my friend were out in the
husband and my friend were out in the
husband and my friend were out in the water I had to stay on the beach
water I had to stay on the beach
water I had to stay on the beach long story but anyways they were out in
long story but anyways they were out in
long story but anyways they were out in the water and they had found a pod of
the water and they had found a pod of
the water and they had found a pod of spinner dolphins just like these guys
spinner dolphins just like these guys
spinner dolphins just like these guys and they were swimming with them so I
and they were swimming with them so I
and they were swimming with them so I was paying attention to them but in the
was paying attention to them but in the
was paying attention to them but in the meantime this whale over here was giving
meantime this whale over here was giving
meantime this whale over here was giving me one hell of a show finally the whale
me one hell of a show finally the whale
me one hell of a show finally the whale disappeared and they were still out with
disappeared and they were still out with
disappeared and they were still out with the pod of dolphins and all of a sudden
the pod of dolphins and all of a sudden
the pod of dolphins and all of a sudden I saw this huge shadow come under them
I saw this huge shadow come under them
I saw this huge shadow come under them and up to me on the beach and I’m like
and up to me on the beach and I’m like
and up to me on the beach and I’m like okay I’m all by myself who do I tell
okay I’m all by myself who do I tell
okay I’m all by myself who do I tell that something’s coming up the whale had
that something’s coming up the whale had
that something’s coming up the whale had given birth pushed the calf up for the
given birth pushed the calf up for the
given birth pushed the calf up for the first breath of air right in front of me
first breath of air right in front of me
first breath of air right in front of me I’m all by myself
they made it into the silver dolphin my
they made it into the silver dolphin my novel about dolphins who are caught in
novel about dolphins who are caught in
novel about dolphins who are caught in tuna industry nets and drowned about the
tuna industry nets and drowned about the
tuna industry nets and drowned about the families of dolphins about how they
families of dolphins about how they
families of dolphins about how they rescue human beings and then now
rescue human beings and then now
rescue human beings and then now bringing it closer to home these are red
bringing it closer to home these are red
bringing it closer to home these are red wolves and the red wolf population in
wolves and the red wolf population in
wolves and the red wolf population in North Carolina is at about 24 maybe
North Carolina is at about 24 maybe
North Carolina is at about 24 maybe somewhere between 24 and 30 in the late
somewhere between 24 and 30 in the late
somewhere between 24 and 30 in the late 70s early 80s these guys were almost
70s early 80s these guys were almost
70s early 80s these guys were almost extinct they had been connecting with
extinct they had been connecting with
extinct they had been connecting with coyotes and creating inter species I
coyotes and creating inter species I
coyotes and creating inter species I think that’s the word for it I told you
think that’s the word for it I told you
think that’s the word for it I told you I’m not a scientist and practically
I’m not a scientist and practically
I’m not a scientist and practically disappeared so what happened was a bunch
disappeared so what happened was a bunch
disappeared so what happened was a bunch of activists took the ones who were
of activists took the ones who were
of activists took the ones who were still pure red wolves out of the wild
still pure red wolves out of the wild
still pure red wolves out of the wild into safe places zoos and so forth we’ve
into safe places zoos and so forth we’ve
into safe places zoos and so forth we’ve got one of them right here in Durham
got one of them right here in Durham
got one of them right here in Durham just had a group of four pups in last
just had a group of four pups in last
just had a group of four pups in last spring I think it was and they started
spring I think it was and they started
spring I think it was and they started breeding them so that they would stay
breeding them so that they would stay
breeding them so that they would stay alive basically not go extinct and
alive basically not go extinct and
alive basically not go extinct and eventually they put them back into the
eventually they put them back into the
eventually they put them back into the alligator river net nature preserve
alligator river net nature preserve
alligator river net nature preserve which is out on the Outer Banks these
which is out on the Outer Banks these
which is out on the Outer Banks these guys are almost extinct and they might
guys are almost extinct and they might
guys are almost extinct and they might be extinct if we don’t raise our voices
be extinct if we don’t raise our voices
be extinct if we don’t raise our voices so I’m taking responsibility for doing
so I’m taking responsibility for doing
so I’m taking responsibility for doing another book and it’s called the art of
another book and it’s called the art of
another book and it’s called the art of rivers and these guys they’re going to
rivers and these guys they’re going to
rivers and these guys they’re going to be my heroes in that one this story that
be my heroes in that one this story that
be my heroes in that one this story that little grandson of mine we went to the
little grandson of mine we went to the
little grandson of mine we went to the museum of life and Science in Durham
museum of life and Science in Durham
museum of life and Science in Durham right after the pups were born and rise
right after the pups were born and rise
right after the pups were born and rise stood at the fence
stood at the fence
stood at the fence and red wolves are notoriously shy they
and red wolves are notoriously shy they
and red wolves are notoriously shy they will not come near people or other
will not come near people or other
will not come near people or other beings unless they absolutely have to so
beings unless they absolutely have to so
beings unless they absolutely have to so dad the by the way red wolves they mate
dad the by the way red wolves they mate
dad the by the way red wolves they mate for life there are a few species that do
for life there are a few species that do
for life there are a few species that do that so it’s pretty cool to watch them
that so it’s pretty cool to watch them
that so it’s pretty cool to watch them dad was up in the woods if you have not
dad was up in the woods if you have not
dad was up in the woods if you have not been to the museum elastance I needed to
been to the museum elastance I needed to
been to the museum elastance I needed to go it’s pretty cool and the pups were
go it’s pretty cool and the pups were
go it’s pretty cool and the pups were down in a den under a group of tree
down in a den under a group of tree
down in a den under a group of tree roots with momma in there and Rhys was
roots with momma in there and Rhys was
roots with momma in there and Rhys was very upset because he couldn’t see the
very upset because he couldn’t see the
very upset because he couldn’t see the pups they were on a camera and he’s like
pups they were on a camera and he’s like
pups they were on a camera and he’s like well how do I know the camera is really
well how do I know the camera is really
well how do I know the camera is really in there five year old now this is where
in there five year old now this is where
in there five year old now this is where I throw in a few statistics enough with
I throw in a few statistics enough with
I throw in a few statistics enough with the stories that green that you see is
the stories that green that you see is
the stories that green that you see is plants and the brown is animals and
plants and the brown is animals and
plants and the brown is animals and basically that’s the level of extinction
basically that’s the level of extinction
basically that’s the level of extinction so in the 1900s Age of industrialism how
so in the 1900s Age of industrialism how
so in the 1900s Age of industrialism how many animals went extinct a whole bunch
many animals went extinct a whole bunch
many animals went extinct a whole bunch we’re talking thousands and when you
we’re talking thousands and when you
we’re talking thousands and when you look at that kind of a statistic you
look at that kind of a statistic you
look at that kind of a statistic you think wow look at that brown basically
think wow look at that brown basically
think wow look at that brown basically column there that’s a lot of our earth
column there that’s a lot of our earth
column there that’s a lot of our earth that has died that’s not coming back
that has died that’s not coming back
that has died that’s not coming back we’re not talking dinosaurs that got
we’re not talking dinosaurs that got
we’re not talking dinosaurs that got killed by the Ice Age we’re talking
killed by the Ice Age we’re talking
killed by the Ice Age we’re talking about animals and plants that we’re
about animals and plants that we’re
about animals and plants that we’re killing we’re talking about animals that
killing we’re talking about animals that
killing we’re talking about animals that could exist if we took care of them or
could exist if we took care of them or
could exist if we took care of them or if we stopped being so shall I say cruel
those dolphins get caught up in
those dolphins get caught up in fishermen’s nets those dolphins is
fishermen’s nets those dolphins is
fishermen’s nets those dolphins is starting to become extinct in China the
starting to become extinct in China the
starting to become extinct in China the South Asian dolphin there’s less than
South Asian dolphin there’s less than
South Asian dolphin there’s less than 2,000 of them the Yangtze and by the way
2,000 of them the Yangtze and by the way
2,000 of them the Yangtze and by the way there’s dolphins in rivers and lakes and
there’s dolphins in rivers and lakes and
there’s dolphins in rivers and lakes and oceans the Yangtze River Dolphin I
oceans the Yangtze River Dolphin I
oceans the Yangtze River Dolphin I haven’t seen one in a long long time
haven’t seen one in a long long time
haven’t seen one in a long long time scientists are figuring this is the
scientists are figuring this is the
scientists are figuring this is the first cetacean that has gone extinct
here’s the dolphin population over time
here’s the dolphin population over time you can see there was about 16,000 in
you can see there was about 16,000 in
you can see there was about 16,000 in about 1800 figure that’s right about
about 1800 figure that’s right about
about 1800 figure that’s right about when the whaling industry went into
when the whaling industry went into
when the whaling industry went into effect and that fell off very rapidly
effect and that fell off very rapidly
effect and that fell off very rapidly and it’s continuing to do so here’s the
and it’s continuing to do so here’s the
and it’s continuing to do so here’s the estimated population of Asian elephants
estimated population of Asian elephants
estimated population of Asian elephants now you can look at each one of these
now you can look at each one of these
now you can look at each one of these countries and figure out how
countries and figure out how
countries and figure out how industrialized they are how much growth
industrialized they are how much growth
industrialized they are how much growth they’ve had in that country and
they’ve had in that country and
they’ve had in that country and according to that growth where are the
according to that growth where are the
according to that growth where are the elephants look at Thailand Thailand has
elephants look at Thailand Thailand has
elephants look at Thailand Thailand has lost 2/3 of its elephant population in
lost 2/3 of its elephant population in
lost 2/3 of its elephant population in the last decade two-thirds here’s how
the last decade two-thirds here’s how
the last decade two-thirds here’s how many animals are left in the wild and at
many animals are left in the wild and at
many animals are left in the wild and at the bottom of that is Rothschilds
the bottom of that is Rothschilds
the bottom of that is Rothschilds giraffe and Rothschilds giraffe only
giraffe and Rothschilds giraffe only
giraffe and Rothschilds giraffe only exists in one portion of Kenya and
exists in one portion of Kenya and
exists in one portion of Kenya and they’re very tiny population is
they’re very tiny population is
they’re very tiny population is endangered of becoming extinct and there
endangered of becoming extinct and there
endangered of becoming extinct and there are several elephant species that are
are several elephant species that are
are several elephant species that are also in danger of becoming extinct
okay guys this is reality this is what
okay guys this is reality this is what happens what happens in Thailand Vietnam
happens what happens in Thailand Vietnam
happens what happens in Thailand Vietnam India parts of Africa is that the land
India parts of Africa is that the land
India parts of Africa is that the land and the water resources are pretty
and the water resources are pretty
and the water resources are pretty minimal and human beings and animals are
minimal and human beings and animals are
minimal and human beings and animals are fighting for it so what happens to the
fighting for it so what happens to the
fighting for it so what happens to the human beings is their figure and I need
human beings is their figure and I need
human beings is their figure and I need to do something to make sure that my
to do something to make sure that my
to do something to make sure that my family has room to grow to make sure
family has room to grow to make sure
family has room to grow to make sure that I am going to be safe and to that I
that I am going to be safe and to that I
that I am going to be safe and to that I have money to put food on the table that
have money to put food on the table that
have money to put food on the table that money to put food on the table often
money to put food on the table often
money to put food on the table often comes from this from taking the ivory
comes from this from taking the ivory
comes from this from taking the ivory tusks off an elephant cutting them off
tusks off an elephant cutting them off
tusks off an elephant cutting them off while the elephant is still alive this
while the elephant is still alive this
while the elephant is still alive this particular massacre was in Burma I
particular massacre was in Burma I
particular massacre was in Burma I believe and the the elephants left
believe and the the elephants left
believe and the the elephants left babies which is pretty typical they
babies which is pretty typical they
babies which is pretty typical they don’t kill the babies they sometimes
don’t kill the babies they sometimes
don’t kill the babies they sometimes take them but sometimes the babies leave
take them but sometimes the babies leave
take them but sometimes the babies leave and the rest of the herd takes them and
and the rest of the herd takes them and
and the rest of the herd takes them and the babies need the socialization of the
the babies need the socialization of the
the babies need the socialization of the herd they fall in in Africa I just spoke
herd they fall in in Africa I just spoke
herd they fall in in Africa I just spoke about water resources there’s no water
about water resources there’s no water
about water resources there’s no water resources in Africa so what happens is
resources in Africa so what happens is
resources in Africa so what happens is they build huge wells that go down
they build huge wells that go down
they build huge wells that go down hundreds of feet and they’re big enough
hundreds of feet and they’re big enough
hundreds of feet and they’re big enough probably less than half of the size of
probably less than half of the size of
probably less than half of the size of this stage big enough so that a baby
this stage big enough so that a baby
this stage big enough so that a baby elephant falls down them on a regular
elephant falls down them on a regular
elephant falls down them on a regular basis there are several sanctuaries in
basis there are several sanctuaries in
basis there are several sanctuaries in Africa one of which is run by Dame
Africa one of which is run by Dame
Africa one of which is run by Dame Daphne Sheldrick whose husband was part
Daphne Sheldrick whose husband was part
Daphne Sheldrick whose husband was part of one of the national reserves when he
of one of the national reserves when he
of one of the national reserves when he was alive years and years ago she now
was alive years and years ago she now
was alive years and years ago she now has all of the baby elephants the
has all of the baby elephants the
has all of the baby elephants the orphans and it’s very difficult to keep
orphans and it’s very difficult to keep
orphans and it’s very difficult to keep these babies alive because they have a
these babies alive because they have a
these babies alive because they have a very specific formula that they can eat
very specific formula that they can eat
very specific formula that they can eat and often they think that they’re okay
and often they think that they’re okay
and often they think that they’re okay they think they’re healthy and all of a
they think they’re healthy and all of a
they think they’re healthy and all of a sudden the next day they’re gone but one
sudden the next day they’re gone but one
sudden the next day they’re gone but one of the reasons she gets all of her
of the reasons she gets all of her
of the reasons she gets all of her orphans is because of this and
orphans is because of this and
orphans is because of this and because the babies wander off they get
because the babies wander off they get
because the babies wander off they get stuck in wells or they get captured and
stuck in wells or they get captured and
stuck in wells or they get captured and then they have to be taken to a place
then they have to be taken to a place
then they have to be taken to a place that gives them some kind of sanctuary
that gives them some kind of sanctuary
that gives them some kind of sanctuary now let’s talk about red wolves for a
now let’s talk about red wolves for a
now let’s talk about red wolves for a second this is their historical range if
second this is their historical range if
second this is their historical range if you can see it’s pretty much the east
you can see it’s pretty much the east
you can see it’s pretty much the east coast now it’s pretty much Alligator
coast now it’s pretty much Alligator
coast now it’s pretty much Alligator River National Refuge in Manteo North
River National Refuge in Manteo North
River National Refuge in Manteo North Carolina quite a difference from this
Carolina quite a difference from this
Carolina quite a difference from this and quite a difference from the hundreds
and quite a difference from the hundreds
and quite a difference from the hundreds that were on land during the early part
that were on land during the early part
that were on land during the early part of our country – now now we have to deal
of our country – now now we have to deal
of our country – now now we have to deal with people who think it’s pretty cool
with people who think it’s pretty cool
with people who think it’s pretty cool to shoot a wolf either the wolf is
to shoot a wolf either the wolf is
to shoot a wolf either the wolf is bothering their farm I understand that
bothering their farm I understand that
bothering their farm I understand that or the wolf has bothered something that
or the wolf has bothered something that
or the wolf has bothered something that that belongs to them or they just feel
that belongs to them or they just feel
that belongs to them or they just feel like shooting a wolf for the pelt
like shooting a wolf for the pelt
like shooting a wolf for the pelt the problem is shoot one you shoot in
the problem is shoot one you shoot in
the problem is shoot one you shoot in half of a pair which will not mate with
half of a pair which will not mate with
half of a pair which will not mate with somebody else thus you’re pretty much
somebody else thus you’re pretty much
somebody else thus you’re pretty much killing that that wolf’s ability to
killing that that wolf’s ability to
killing that that wolf’s ability to survive to produce any kind of progeny
survive to produce any kind of progeny
survive to produce any kind of progeny so my point in all of this is I’ve told
so my point in all of this is I’ve told
so my point in all of this is I’ve told you some stories I’ve given you some
you some stories I’ve given you some
you some stories I’ve given you some statistics I’ve talked to you about
statistics I’ve talked to you about
statistics I’ve talked to you about animals why do we need to keep them what
animals why do we need to keep them what
animals why do we need to keep them what is it about a red wolf that is good for
is it about a red wolf that is good for
is it about a red wolf that is good for our environment we know that they mate
our environment we know that they mate
our environment we know that they mate for life so they can teach us something
for life so they can teach us something
for life so they can teach us something about relationships we also know that
about relationships we also know that
about relationships we also know that the red wolf keeps down the rodent
the red wolf keeps down the rodent
the red wolf keeps down the rodent population everything is balanced and in
population everything is balanced and in
population everything is balanced and in my Buddhist perspective everything is
my Buddhist perspective everything is
my Buddhist perspective everything is everything which means we need all the
everything which means we need all the
everything which means we need all the pieces of the puzzle we need those
pieces of the puzzle we need those
pieces of the puzzle we need those wolves to take down the population of
wolves to take down the population of
wolves to take down the population of rats otherwise we’re going to be seeing
rats otherwise we’re going to be seeing
rats otherwise we’re going to be seeing rats in the cornfield it’s much more so
rats in the cornfield it’s much more so
rats in the cornfield it’s much more so than usual we need the the elephant
than usual we need the the elephant
than usual we need the the elephant population to show us family look family
population to show us family look family
population to show us family look family structure
structure
structure elephants know how to take care of their
elephants know how to take care of their
elephants know how to take care of their not only their babies but everybody
not only their babies but everybody
not only their babies but everybody else’s they know what to do
else’s they know what to do
else’s they know what to do when danger comes they know how to find
when danger comes they know how to find
when danger comes they know how to find water I mean it’s it’s stuff that we
water I mean it’s it’s stuff that we
water I mean it’s it’s stuff that we could learn from and the Dolphins do you
could learn from and the Dolphins do you
could learn from and the Dolphins do you know why the Dolphins are dying pretty
know why the Dolphins are dying pretty
know why the Dolphins are dying pretty much in the ocean not just because of
much in the ocean not just because of
much in the ocean not just because of getting caught in nets but also because
getting caught in nets but also because
getting caught in nets but also because our noises are making them change their
our noises are making them change their
our noises are making them change their swimming patterns you know so all of
swimming patterns you know so all of
swimming patterns you know so all of this growth isn’t necessarily helping us
this growth isn’t necessarily helping us
this growth isn’t necessarily helping us these animals help us now I have a
these animals help us now I have a
these animals help us now I have a question for you I told you some stories
question for you I told you some stories
question for you I told you some stories told you about the books that are right
told you about the books that are right
told you about the books that are right whose Sophie
I just made my point I want to challenge
I just made my point I want to challenge all of the artists the writers the
all of the artists the writers the
all of the artists the writers the photographer’s and musicians the
photographer’s and musicians the
photographer’s and musicians the painters to chronicle what’s going on in
painters to chronicle what’s going on in
painters to chronicle what’s going on in this earth to tell the stories the
this earth to tell the stories the
this earth to tell the stories the individual stories of these animals you
individual stories of these animals you
individual stories of these animals you just can’t give us statistics and expect
just can’t give us statistics and expect
just can’t give us statistics and expect us to care you’ve got to take us into
us to care you’ve got to take us into
us to care you’ve got to take us into this story you’ve got to tell us that
this story you’ve got to tell us that
this story you’ve got to tell us that story about me dropping my ring and
story about me dropping my ring and
story about me dropping my ring and having that one elephant pick it up and
having that one elephant pick it up and
having that one elephant pick it up and drop it in front of me because that
drop it in front of me because that
drop it in front of me because that story told you more about that elephants
story told you more about that elephants
story told you more about that elephants genius than I could in any other way
genius than I could in any other way
genius than I could in any other way what would we do without Rachel Carson’s
what would we do without Rachel Carson’s
what would we do without Rachel Carson’s book the Silent Spring she told us all
book the Silent Spring she told us all
book the Silent Spring she told us all about what we were doing to the rivers
about what we were doing to the rivers
about what we were doing to the rivers the oceans what will we do without
the oceans what will we do without
the oceans what will we do without Marvin Gaye what’s going on what would
Marvin Gaye what’s going on what would
Marvin Gaye what’s going on what would we do without the music that we heard
we do without the music that we heard
we do without the music that we heard earlier today we need the Arts and I’m
earlier today we need the Arts and I’m
earlier today we need the Arts and I’m here to say artists are going to save
here to say artists are going to save
here to say artists are going to save the world thank you
the world thank you
the world thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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