❀ ❀ ❀ Closer to Nature is a wonderful seasonal opportunity for teens and/or adults to get close and personal with our immediate landscape & wildlife in both scientific and art-creative ways. We offer this program to anyone and to any organization in Cambridge/Somerville (Massachusetts) and around. You can pick and choose which class(es) you […]
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Tag: Etiquettes
Even Scientists Take Selfies With Wild A...
Even Scientists Take Selfies with Wild Animals. Here’s Why They Shouldn’t. One of the great things about being a biologist is getting to work in the field and connect with wildlife. Through my career, I have enjoyed many unforgettable close encounters with various species, including turtles, birds, marine mammals, invertebrates and a lot of fish, […]
Get your ‘Bear’ings & Keep your Distance
Get your ‘Bear’ings & Keep your Distance In the wild, remain vigilant in all circumstances and certainly so when you roam in bear country! Having traveled quite a few remote and wild places I am becoming relatively good at it. However one late afternoon, I relaxed my attention after a long trek in the mountains […]
Should I Worry About Shark Attacks?
I am going snorkeling and diving. Should I worry about sharks? Worried? It depends. But in all cases, you should be prepared and know your sharks. How Likely Are Shark Attacks? Source: Shark Attack FAQ (Florida Museum). Of all the existing species of sharks, only about a dozen should be considered dangerous when encountered. White, bull, […]
When a Bird Asks You to Back Off
Is getting “too close for comfort” a thing for birds? Yes totally! And if you look and listen, they even tell you when. It was a radiant and sun-filled day, perfect for a leisurely visit to a nearby beach, where we planned to observe some of our protected birds and capture a few snapshots for […]
The Red Apes of Bukit —How Ethical is Or
The Red Apes of Bukit —How Ethical is Orangutan Tourism? After two days of flying across the world, we finally arrived! We were now a few miles away from where some of the last Sumatran orangutans are surviving. Maybe a mother and her infant were even peeping through the canopy across the river right when […]
Wearing a Face Mask when Visiting Great ...
I am going to visit great apes in the wild (chimpanzees, orangutans or gorillas). Should I wear a face mask? Yes, you should. According to the recommendations of experts at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is advised that all individuals, including staff, tourists, and researchers, who come within a distance of 10 […]
A Visit to a Rwandan Gorilla Family
In ‘the moment’, and when too excited by the experience, it’s very easy to forget the proper rule of conduct. Keeping a respectful distance is not just for your safety but is also about theirs (including their health). By not following the rules we are inconsiderate and unethical. Take this example of human recklessness when visiting a […]
A Herd of Elephants and a Gaggle of Peop...
Elephants… Don’t you just love them? What’s not to love? They are beautiful, majestic, intelligent, awe inspiring. They are a lot of people’s favourite animals. We want to get to know them better, get up close and personal with them. In the company of these magnificent creatures, we have an urge to touch them, photograph […]