Explorers Club: Night of the Big Cat

efforts around the world. Enjoy food of the Indian subcontinent, with presentations from leading big cat conservators and photographers, stunning films on these apex predators, and a Q&A panel led by Marc Fowler, Chair of The Explorers Club Wildlife Council.Hosted at The Explorers Club historic Headquarters on New York's Upper East Side, the event will run from 5:00 - 9:00 pm on Saturday, March 3rd.
Featuring presentations from:
Steve Winter became a National Geographic photojournalist in 1991. He specializes in wildlife, and particularly, big cats. He’s been named BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year and BBC Wildlife Photojournalist of the Year. He was a two-time winner of Picture of the Year International’s Global Vision Award and won 1st prize in the nature story category from World Press Photo in 2008 and 2014. He lectures globally on photography and conservation issues and has been interviewed on CBS Nightly News, 60 Minutes, NPR, BBC, and CNN. He feels we have a great responsibility not only to show and excite the readers about the natural world, but about its fascinating people and cultures as well. Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant is a large carnivore ecologist with an expertise in using statistical modeling to investigate the way humans can influence the spatial patterns of carnivore behavior and ecology. She currently studies a small population of American black bear in the western US. She has worked on similar research questions with African lions in rural Kenya and Tanzania, as well as grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.Dr. Pat Thomas is Vice President & General Curator, WCS and Associate Director of the Bronx Zoo. He has worked at the zoo since 1979. A Professional Fellow in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Pat participates in numerous AZA conservation programs. He also is a member of the IUCN’s SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group and the Conservation Planning Specialist Group’s Global Conservation Network. His current research projects include efforts to develop a herd of genetically pure bison to provide animals for restoration programs. In addition to his work at the zoo, Pat is an adjunct professor at Columbia University. He has also worked on field projects in Belize, Argentina, South Africa and the Russian Far East.Wai-Ming Wong, Ph.D. joined Panthera in 2013 as the Tiger Program Manager and now serves as the Assistant Director of Field Programs. In this role, Wai-Ming provides technical and analytical support to the Species Directors, works directly with Panthera's President and scientific team on planning, management, analysis and communications of Panthera's field conservation activities, and manages the Grants Program. His other conservation interests include human-wildlife conflicts and conservation technology.
Jackson Hole Festival Award-Winning Films:
Big Cats – Episode 3 from BBC OneVanishing Kings – Lions of the Namib
Schedule:
Introduction & Trailer Presented by:Lisa Samford, Executive Director of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film FestivalNancy Rosenthal, Executive Director of the NY WILD Film FestivalPresentations:Steve WinterDr. Rae Wynn-GrantDr. Pat ThomasWai-Ming Wong, Ph.D.Q&A Panel featuring the big cat experts, moderated by Mark Fowler, EC Wildlife CouncilBreak for Hors D’oeuvres of the Indian SubcontinentScreenings:Big Cats – BBC One Episode 3Vanishing Kings – Lions of the Namib
Photos courtesy of Steve Winter/National Geographic