On Thursday, November 15, at 9:45 a.m., as part of Moorpark College's Year of the Environment, Exotic Animal Training and Management students will bring two animals from America's Teaching Zoo to the campus quad for public observation.
Professor Gary Wilson and students will bring the coyote and the opossum, two animals which are familiar to many of us.
"These highly adaptable species have learned how to live around humans. The challenge for many of us is to learn how we can peacefully coexist with our native wildlife and why we should appreciate and value them, " says Wilson.
The public is invited to come see these familiar animals and learn why we should appreciate them.
Please take advantage of this opportunity to meet this animals up-close and discuss the issues they represent.
Wilson has been a faculty member in the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program since 1985.
Wilson has a masters in Biological Sciences, a bachelors in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, and has trained dolphins, sea lions, and belugas for the US Navy; and handled lions and tigers for public appearances.
During the Year of the Environment, Wilson is coordinating animal presentations on and off campus. “I have loved the time I have spent interacting with animals and nature. We need to take care of the planet to insure the survival of all of nature including ourselves,” he says.
Moorpark College’s Year of the Environment has been organized to facilitate critical thinking both inside and outside the classroom, while helping to prepare students to be responsible members of the global community.
According to the college’s mission statement for the Year of the Environment , “One of the greatest challenges before us as students and citizens is safeguarding the environment and addressing the effects that our actions have on the biosphere. The academic year 2007-2008 is dedicated to inquiry, dialogue, and action toward the goal of protecting and sustaining our environment. We hereby designate this “The Year of the Environment: From Awareness to Action.”
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The EATM program prepares students to care for endangered animal species and to educate about wildlife and conservation.
The zoo houses nearly 150 animals and is open weekends - Saturdays and Sundays, from 11am to 5pm.
A special Feast for the Beasts event featuring special activities is set for the weekend of November 24-25. Call or log on for zoo information.
www.moorparkcollege.edu/zoo (805) 378-1441
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