The Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary will welcome international wildlife conservationist,
Avinoam Lourie, to the Sanctuary on Thursday, November 12, 2009. During the day, Israel’s “Dr. Doolittle,” as Lourie has become known, will share some of the unique life experiences that come from a career dedicated to working with wildlife with students from Lombardi Middle School.
Lourie will be traveling from Haifa, Israel, where he spent his life dedicated to wildlife conservation. Lourie was the director at the Haifa Zoological Garden and Center for Biology Education for a number of years; then he oversaw two very special nature reserves in the north and south of Israel. During his time at the nature reserves Laurie worked to protect and bring back several of Israel’s endangered animals and birds of prey, including rare Persian Fallow Deer (of which Israel now boasts the largest herd in the world).
“We had the pleasure of meeting Avi earlier this summer and he made such a wonderful impression on our staff,” stated Ty Baumann, Director of the Wildlife Sanctuary. “We knew we had to invite Avi back to the Sanctuary because we were confident his passion for wildlife would make a positive impression on area schoolchildren. Having someone with Avi’s background and experience in our area is a great opportunity.”
During the school program at the Sanctuary, Lourie will demonstrate how animals can help children learn about themselves and nature and gain confidence in their own lives and existence. Lourie will also address what needs to be done on global and local levels to preserve wildlife and their habitats. Several of the Sanctuary’s animal friends will also be making an appearance.
“This program will provide a great experience to meet and interact with an international conservationist and learn that wildlife conservation is an important global issue,” Baumann stated. “Our staff teaches wildlife education through our programs, but having Avi speak takes the cause to a new level that we’re excited to share with the students from Lombardi Middle School.”
In addition to the education program, Lourie will be the guest speaker that evening at 7 p.m., at the 31st Annual Friends of the Wildlife Sanctuary banquet. His presentation, “Scorpions, Snakes, Griffon Vultures, Rare Deer, Children and More” will talk about wildlife restoration, as well as how experiences with animals can give children confidence and help them overcome some of their emotional problems. “Animals don’t ask questions," says Lourie, "and often it’s easier to learn to hug a Guinea pig than a person," he adds. Tickets for the banquet can be purchased by calling the Sanctuary at (920) 391-3680.
