The Big Cats [F-11-11]
| Presenter: | John McDonald |
|---|---|
| Location: | SUNY Potsdam: Maxcy 104 |
| Classes: | 2 Sessions 1.5 hours |
| Dates: | Fri 1:00 PM 09/16, 09/23 |
| Status: | CLOSED |
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The focus in this course is on the big cats – lions, leopards, jaguars – with the primary focus on the most endangered species: the tiger and the cheetah. We cover the evolution and history of the species as well as their similarities and differences and their former and current ranges. Topics include: physical characteristics, habitat, behavior, social structure, human and cat interactions and conflicts, as well as geopolitical influences which will either save the cats for future generations or result in their extinction in the wild.
John McDonald retired from IBM and Arrow Electronics. He has had a lifelong interest in the big cats. As a young man he worked in primate research while attending the University of Michigan. Following graduation he spent time with Dave Hoover, the lion and tiger trainer for the Clyde Beatty and Cole Bros. Circus. He corresponded with George Adamson of “Born Free” fame and was offered the opportunity to conduct field research on Adamson’s lions in Kenya. John recently returned from Africa after spending a month working as a volunteer with wild cheetahs at the Cheetah Conservation Fund’s research facility in Namibia.