Contributors
We have lined up a very impressive set of speakers and panelists.
Due to some of our topics being sensitive, we are not able to share many details ahead of the event.
Due to some of our topics being sensitive, we are not able to share many details ahead of the event.
Tom Lewis - Site Manager
The Ara Project
Before joining the Ara Project team Tom gained experience on a number of different species recovery projects. After completing his degree he travelled to the island of Mauritius to join the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. Working and living in remote areas studying endangered species up close inspired him to follow his passion and help conserve endangered species. After working on a number of species recovery projects in UK and abroad he completed an MSc in Endangered Species Recovery and Conservation. Tom looks forward to applying his knowledge and experience, adding to the great work already done by the Ara Project.
The Ara Project
Before joining the Ara Project team Tom gained experience on a number of different species recovery projects. After completing his degree he travelled to the island of Mauritius to join the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. Working and living in remote areas studying endangered species up close inspired him to follow his passion and help conserve endangered species. After working on a number of species recovery projects in UK and abroad he completed an MSc in Endangered Species Recovery and Conservation. Tom looks forward to applying his knowledge and experience, adding to the great work already done by the Ara Project.
Bobbi Brink - Founder/Director CFO
Lions Tigers & Bears
Bobbi is Founder, Director and CFO of Lions Tigers & Bears. Bobbi has been working with and advocating for captive big cats, bears and other exotic animals since the early 1990s. She began her personal involvement with these efforts, after witnessing the abuses and neglect inflicted on captive exotics victimized by the exotic animal trade.
Bobbi made a decision that something must be done, and since then she has made it her personal mission to work to end the abuses that stem from this heinous industry, one animal at a time. Bobbi plays an active role in managing all aspects of Lions Tigers & Bears’ daily operations, from daily feedings to office management. She is a prolific fundraiser and tireless advocate for abused and displaced wildlife. Bobbi has worked across the country to coordinate the rescue and relocation of hundreds of big cats, bears and exotic animals – providing them an opportunity to live out their lives at reputable sanctuaries, including Lions Tigers & Bears.
Bobbi has testified before Congress, help instill legislation that would regulate the trade of these animals. She is also very active in local planning groups, Soroptimist and Rotary Clubs. Both she and Lions Tigers & Bears have won multiple awards and recognition for leadership and public service from the Alpine Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and the California State Assembly.
Lions Tigers & Bears
Bobbi is Founder, Director and CFO of Lions Tigers & Bears. Bobbi has been working with and advocating for captive big cats, bears and other exotic animals since the early 1990s. She began her personal involvement with these efforts, after witnessing the abuses and neglect inflicted on captive exotics victimized by the exotic animal trade.
Bobbi made a decision that something must be done, and since then she has made it her personal mission to work to end the abuses that stem from this heinous industry, one animal at a time. Bobbi plays an active role in managing all aspects of Lions Tigers & Bears’ daily operations, from daily feedings to office management. She is a prolific fundraiser and tireless advocate for abused and displaced wildlife. Bobbi has worked across the country to coordinate the rescue and relocation of hundreds of big cats, bears and exotic animals – providing them an opportunity to live out their lives at reputable sanctuaries, including Lions Tigers & Bears.
Bobbi has testified before Congress, help instill legislation that would regulate the trade of these animals. She is also very active in local planning groups, Soroptimist and Rotary Clubs. Both she and Lions Tigers & Bears have won multiple awards and recognition for leadership and public service from the Alpine Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and the California State Assembly.
Carney Anne Nasser - Senior Counsel for Wildlife & Regulatory Affairs
Animal Legal Defense Fund - ALDF.ORG
Carney Anne Nasser is ALDF’s in-house captive wildlife and regulatory attorney. She supports the litigation team by providing critical expertise regarding the federal Endangered Species Act, the federal Animal Welfare Act, and creative strategies to ameliorate the exploitation of big cats, elephants, bears, primate, orcas, and other captive exotic and endangered animals. She draws on her professional expertise to also provide in-house counsel on regulatory matters, legislative policy, and trends in animal law. This expertise includes ten years of litigation work in private practice, government, and the nonprofit sector. Most recently, she served four years as litigation counsel for the PETA Foundation’s Captive Animal Law Enforcement department. In this capacity, Carney Anne played a key role in the rescue of Ben the bear—a joint legal initiative of ALDF and PETA–from a North Carolina roadside zoo and in his transfer to the PAWS animal sanctuary, where he now lives out his remaining years.
Prior to coming to ALDF, Carney Anne graduated from U.C. San Diego with a B.A. in political science and holds a J.D. from Tulane University, where she served as editor of The Sports Lawyer’s Journal. She also holds a graduate degree in community advocacy from the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. In addition to her work at ALDF, Carney Anne is an adjunct lecturer at Tulane, where she teaches a seminar in animal law. She has served on the board of directors for the Humane Society of Louisiana and is a member of the ABA TIPS Animal Law Committee, the Texas Animal Law Committee, and previously served as the co-chair of the Animal Welfare Committee for the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers.
Carney Anne is a recognized speaker on the national circuit and has served as national and international media spokesperson on a wide range of animal protection issues. She has been interviewed and recognized on outlets including CNN, ABC, CBS, Fox, the Huffington Post, Los Angeles Times, the Associated Press, NPR, and has been quoted in numerous international media outlets. She has been an active animal advocate for more than twenty years and, although a Bay Area native, currently lives in New Orleans with her sons and her dog Ranger.
Animal Legal Defense Fund - ALDF.ORG
Carney Anne Nasser is ALDF’s in-house captive wildlife and regulatory attorney. She supports the litigation team by providing critical expertise regarding the federal Endangered Species Act, the federal Animal Welfare Act, and creative strategies to ameliorate the exploitation of big cats, elephants, bears, primate, orcas, and other captive exotic and endangered animals. She draws on her professional expertise to also provide in-house counsel on regulatory matters, legislative policy, and trends in animal law. This expertise includes ten years of litigation work in private practice, government, and the nonprofit sector. Most recently, she served four years as litigation counsel for the PETA Foundation’s Captive Animal Law Enforcement department. In this capacity, Carney Anne played a key role in the rescue of Ben the bear—a joint legal initiative of ALDF and PETA–from a North Carolina roadside zoo and in his transfer to the PAWS animal sanctuary, where he now lives out his remaining years.
Prior to coming to ALDF, Carney Anne graduated from U.C. San Diego with a B.A. in political science and holds a J.D. from Tulane University, where she served as editor of The Sports Lawyer’s Journal. She also holds a graduate degree in community advocacy from the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. In addition to her work at ALDF, Carney Anne is an adjunct lecturer at Tulane, where she teaches a seminar in animal law. She has served on the board of directors for the Humane Society of Louisiana and is a member of the ABA TIPS Animal Law Committee, the Texas Animal Law Committee, and previously served as the co-chair of the Animal Welfare Committee for the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers.
Carney Anne is a recognized speaker on the national circuit and has served as national and international media spokesperson on a wide range of animal protection issues. She has been interviewed and recognized on outlets including CNN, ABC, CBS, Fox, the Huffington Post, Los Angeles Times, the Associated Press, NPR, and has been quoted in numerous international media outlets. She has been an active animal advocate for more than twenty years and, although a Bay Area native, currently lives in New Orleans with her sons and her dog Ranger.
Chris Green - Executive Director
Harvard Law School’s Animal Law & Policy Program
Chris Green is the Executive Director of Harvard Law School’s Animal Law & Policy Program. He also is a graduate of Harvard Law School and the University of Illinois, where he created the school’s first Environmental Science degree.
Chris previously was the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and is the immediate past-Chair of the American Bar Association’s TIPS Animal Law Committee. Chris also served on the Board of the National Center for Animal Law, was an advisor to the National Canine Research Council, and is a member of the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, the National Sheriffs' Association’s Coalition on Violence Against Animals, the American Veterinary Medical Law Association, and the Illinois Farm Bureau.
He currently manages a farm that has remained in his family for 178 straight years. Chris has consulted on animal legal issues for CNN, CBS News, Dateline NBC, Headline News, The Atlantic, Bloomberg News, Harper’s, the Huffington Post, Science Magazine, Smart Money Magazine, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Wall Street Journal & Washington Post. He additionally has testified at dozens of legislative hearings, and frequently lectures on animal protection legislation, Ag-Gag anti-whistleblower laws, exotic animal ownership and companion animal valuation at law schools and conferences around the country. Chris also spent several decades working in the fine arts, film and music industries.
Harvard Law School’s Animal Law & Policy Program
Chris Green is the Executive Director of Harvard Law School’s Animal Law & Policy Program. He also is a graduate of Harvard Law School and the University of Illinois, where he created the school’s first Environmental Science degree.
Chris previously was the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and is the immediate past-Chair of the American Bar Association’s TIPS Animal Law Committee. Chris also served on the Board of the National Center for Animal Law, was an advisor to the National Canine Research Council, and is a member of the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, the National Sheriffs' Association’s Coalition on Violence Against Animals, the American Veterinary Medical Law Association, and the Illinois Farm Bureau.
He currently manages a farm that has remained in his family for 178 straight years. Chris has consulted on animal legal issues for CNN, CBS News, Dateline NBC, Headline News, The Atlantic, Bloomberg News, Harper’s, the Huffington Post, Science Magazine, Smart Money Magazine, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Wall Street Journal & Washington Post. He additionally has testified at dozens of legislative hearings, and frequently lectures on animal protection legislation, Ag-Gag anti-whistleblower laws, exotic animal ownership and companion animal valuation at law schools and conferences around the country. Chris also spent several decades working in the fine arts, film and music industries.
Grace Kahler - Wildlife Caregiver
Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch
Grace Kahler is an Animal Caregiver for the Wildlife Team and Lead Training Specialist for the Wildlife, Primate, and Equine Department of Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in Murchison, Texas. She has extensive experience working with accredited, wild animal sanctuaries in; ethical animal husbandry, enrichment, and positive reinforcement training. Most of her captive, wild animal training and husbandry experience has come from working with the over 40 different species at Black Beauty Ranch. Though, her origin in positive reinforcement came from training domestic canines for waterfowl retrieval and obedience in her adolescence.
She currently holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Focusing on an eclectic blend of backgrounds; developmental psychology, learning psychology, abnormal behavior, aggression/antisocial behavior, social psychology, and psychopathology. This offers an insightful perspective on the unique and abnormal situations that often come with domestic and wild animals rescued from abuse, neglect, and abandonment.
Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch
Grace Kahler is an Animal Caregiver for the Wildlife Team and Lead Training Specialist for the Wildlife, Primate, and Equine Department of Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in Murchison, Texas. She has extensive experience working with accredited, wild animal sanctuaries in; ethical animal husbandry, enrichment, and positive reinforcement training. Most of her captive, wild animal training and husbandry experience has come from working with the over 40 different species at Black Beauty Ranch. Though, her origin in positive reinforcement came from training domestic canines for waterfowl retrieval and obedience in her adolescence.
She currently holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Focusing on an eclectic blend of backgrounds; developmental psychology, learning psychology, abnormal behavior, aggression/antisocial behavior, social psychology, and psychopathology. This offers an insightful perspective on the unique and abnormal situations that often come with domestic and wild animals rescued from abuse, neglect, and abandonment.
Tim Harrison - Founder/Director
Outreach for Animals
Tim began working with animals at the age of 16 as a veterinarian’s assistant. While volunteering at a local nature center, he assisted in the development of outreach programs and the rehabilitation of wild animals. Tim would soon become known as one of the best in the country, prompting zoos and wildlife facilities to hire him to raise and rehabilitate exotic animals.
Passing at the top of his class in one of the most demanding and rigorous qualification courses in the country, Tim became a combination police officer, firefighter and paramedic for the city of Oakwood, Ohio. Due to his background in law enforcement and extensive knowledge of exotic wildlife, law enforcement agencies and animal control officers have called upon Tim to rescue wild and exotic animals in suburban settings.
Tim has been consulted on national and state levels regarding his captures of and handling of wolves, cougars, exotic big cats and venomous snakes. Many of his exploits have been covered in local and national media, two books and an award winning documentary based on his work.
In addition to his achievements with exotic animals and law enforcement, Tim is trained as a martial arts fighter, is a World Heavyweight Karate Champion and was awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards by both the International and US Martial Arts Hall of Fames.
Tim also works for Homeland Security as an instructor for Disaster and Emergency Response at Texas A&M. He is a member of The Explorers Club and has traveled the globe with world-renowned nature filmmakers and wildlife authors. His travels include Asia, South America, Africa, Australia, Europe and North America where he has investigated and learned much about animals and their native environments.
Outreach for Animals
Tim began working with animals at the age of 16 as a veterinarian’s assistant. While volunteering at a local nature center, he assisted in the development of outreach programs and the rehabilitation of wild animals. Tim would soon become known as one of the best in the country, prompting zoos and wildlife facilities to hire him to raise and rehabilitate exotic animals.
Passing at the top of his class in one of the most demanding and rigorous qualification courses in the country, Tim became a combination police officer, firefighter and paramedic for the city of Oakwood, Ohio. Due to his background in law enforcement and extensive knowledge of exotic wildlife, law enforcement agencies and animal control officers have called upon Tim to rescue wild and exotic animals in suburban settings.
Tim has been consulted on national and state levels regarding his captures of and handling of wolves, cougars, exotic big cats and venomous snakes. Many of his exploits have been covered in local and national media, two books and an award winning documentary based on his work.
In addition to his achievements with exotic animals and law enforcement, Tim is trained as a martial arts fighter, is a World Heavyweight Karate Champion and was awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards by both the International and US Martial Arts Hall of Fames.
Tim also works for Homeland Security as an instructor for Disaster and Emergency Response at Texas A&M. He is a member of The Explorers Club and has traveled the globe with world-renowned nature filmmakers and wildlife authors. His travels include Asia, South America, Africa, Australia, Europe and North America where he has investigated and learned much about animals and their native environments.
Juliana Machado Ferreira - Executive Director / Investigation and Field Operations Coordinator
FREELAND Brasil
At FREELAND Brasil Juliana is the executive director and the liaison between FREELAND Brasil and FREELAND Foundation. She will be overseeing field operations and investigation projects, policy analyzes, as well as contacts with environmental agencies and government representatives and other partners such as SOS Fauna.
I am a Biologist currently working on my PhD in Genetics (defense in the beginning of August, 2012) at the University of Sao Paulo, under Dr João Morgante’s supervision at the Laboratory of Evolutionary Biology and Vertebrate Conservation. My main interests are the fight against illegal wildlife trade and the application of science and forensic science to wildlife related crimes. I have been working as a volunteer biologist for the ngo SOS Fauna since 2007 learning about the illegal wildlife trade in Brazil. In February 2012, three colleagues and I launched FREELAND Brasil, which is an independent arm of Freeland Foundation, and our mission is to work for a sustainable world and fight wildlife trafficking through the incubation of initiatives with the same mission, the development of research projects intended to understand more about wildlife trafficking in Brazil and south america, educational material, courses, training and workshops, the establishment of partnerships between law enforcement, environmental and customs agencies, non-profit organizations, politicians and other sectors from society. Wildlife trafficking in Brazil assumes many forms: biopiracy, the trade to supply zoos and collectors, the trade of religious and luck charms and souvenirs, the timber trade and the pet trade. I have been working more closely with the illegal pet trade, which targets small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and mainly song birds, parrots and macaws. Not only I have learned about the trade itself and issues related to the rehabilitation and responsible release of the seized fauna, but I joined the police in investigations, on the ground raids and seizures, and I did research field work in the regions where the animals are collected to develop an in-depth understanding of this problem.
In 2004 I came across the US Fish and Wildlife National Forensics Laboratory’s website (OR, USA – the only crime lab in the world entirely devoted to Wildlife Forensics) and I found out about wildlife forensics. After some persuasion, in 2005 and 2006 I was accepted as a volunteer and later, in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, as a visiting scientist, adding up to a total of 15 months spent there.
Also, I was selected as a 2009 TED Fellow and later 2010-2012 TED senior fellow during which time I was able to present the problem Brazil is facing having to fight illegal wildlife trade and I got in touch with the international community, maturing my ideas on how we should lead this fight.
Furthermore, I am a member of the Society for Wildlife Forensic Science.
I love to practice sports, specially swimming and running, I am deeply interested in Yôga and in bringing this philosophy and life style to my life, I am absolutely passionate about my family and my rescued mutts, and the best moments of my life are when I am with my love, best friend and companion.
FREELAND Brasil
At FREELAND Brasil Juliana is the executive director and the liaison between FREELAND Brasil and FREELAND Foundation. She will be overseeing field operations and investigation projects, policy analyzes, as well as contacts with environmental agencies and government representatives and other partners such as SOS Fauna.
I am a Biologist currently working on my PhD in Genetics (defense in the beginning of August, 2012) at the University of Sao Paulo, under Dr João Morgante’s supervision at the Laboratory of Evolutionary Biology and Vertebrate Conservation. My main interests are the fight against illegal wildlife trade and the application of science and forensic science to wildlife related crimes. I have been working as a volunteer biologist for the ngo SOS Fauna since 2007 learning about the illegal wildlife trade in Brazil. In February 2012, three colleagues and I launched FREELAND Brasil, which is an independent arm of Freeland Foundation, and our mission is to work for a sustainable world and fight wildlife trafficking through the incubation of initiatives with the same mission, the development of research projects intended to understand more about wildlife trafficking in Brazil and south america, educational material, courses, training and workshops, the establishment of partnerships between law enforcement, environmental and customs agencies, non-profit organizations, politicians and other sectors from society. Wildlife trafficking in Brazil assumes many forms: biopiracy, the trade to supply zoos and collectors, the trade of religious and luck charms and souvenirs, the timber trade and the pet trade. I have been working more closely with the illegal pet trade, which targets small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and mainly song birds, parrots and macaws. Not only I have learned about the trade itself and issues related to the rehabilitation and responsible release of the seized fauna, but I joined the police in investigations, on the ground raids and seizures, and I did research field work in the regions where the animals are collected to develop an in-depth understanding of this problem.
In 2004 I came across the US Fish and Wildlife National Forensics Laboratory’s website (OR, USA – the only crime lab in the world entirely devoted to Wildlife Forensics) and I found out about wildlife forensics. After some persuasion, in 2005 and 2006 I was accepted as a volunteer and later, in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, as a visiting scientist, adding up to a total of 15 months spent there.
Also, I was selected as a 2009 TED Fellow and later 2010-2012 TED senior fellow during which time I was able to present the problem Brazil is facing having to fight illegal wildlife trade and I got in touch with the international community, maturing my ideas on how we should lead this fight.
Furthermore, I am a member of the Society for Wildlife Forensic Science.
I love to practice sports, specially swimming and running, I am deeply interested in Yôga and in bringing this philosophy and life style to my life, I am absolutely passionate about my family and my rescued mutts, and the best moments of my life are when I am with my love, best friend and companion.
Dr Tanya Wyatt - Learning and Teaching Champion Senior Lecturer in Criminology
Department: Social Sciences and Languages
University of Northumbria
Tanya joined the University of Northumbria in October of 2010. Previously, for nearly five years, she was a deputy sheriff and police officer, which included working in a maximum-security county jail and patrolling a small town. Tanya then served for two years as a United States Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine. During that time, she wrote grants and designed programs to prevent the trafficking of women.
Department: Social Sciences and Languages
University of Northumbria
Tanya joined the University of Northumbria in October of 2010. Previously, for nearly five years, she was a deputy sheriff and police officer, which included working in a maximum-security county jail and patrolling a small town. Tanya then served for two years as a United States Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine. During that time, she wrote grants and designed programs to prevent the trafficking of women.
Rainforest Animal Rescue Group
rainforestrescue.org.au
Rainforest Rescue has been protecting and restoring rainforests in Australia and internationally since 1998. We do this by purchasing properties of high conservation value rainforest and protecting their biodiversity. We also restore rainforest through planting, maintenance and weed removal.
Rainforest Rescue is a not-for-profit organisation that has been protecting and restoring rainforests in Australia and internationally since 1998 by providing opportunities for individuals and businesses to Protect Rainforests Forever.
Our projects re-establish rainforests through planting, maintenance and restoration programs, as well as purchasing and protecting high conservation value rainforest and preserving its biodiversity.
rainforestrescue.org.au
Rainforest Rescue has been protecting and restoring rainforests in Australia and internationally since 1998. We do this by purchasing properties of high conservation value rainforest and protecting their biodiversity. We also restore rainforest through planting, maintenance and weed removal.
Rainforest Rescue is a not-for-profit organisation that has been protecting and restoring rainforests in Australia and internationally since 1998 by providing opportunities for individuals and businesses to Protect Rainforests Forever.
Our projects re-establish rainforests through planting, maintenance and restoration programs, as well as purchasing and protecting high conservation value rainforest and preserving its biodiversity.