Conservation Management
Sustainability Alliance
Stewardship: Conservation Management
Merv Gunter
Frontiers North Adventures and Tundra Buggy Adventures, Owner & Operator
Merv, Lynda, and son, John, were recipients of Travel Manitoba's Sustainable Tourism Award in 2006 and Ecotourism Award in 2004. Tundra Buggy Adventures, which pioneered polar-bear watching tours in the Churchill area, donates immeasurable support to PBI initiatives in Churchill—from massive levels of equipment to experienced, indefatigable staff to organizational know-how. They are wholly committed to respectful ecotourism and dedicated to spreading the conservation message.
Kerrie Haynes-Lovell
Sea World Australia, Polar Bear Curator
Kerrie Haynes-Lovell is the polar bear curator at Sea World Australia. Every year, she serves as an instructor at PBI Teen Leadership Camp, which brings top students from around the world to Churchill, Manitoba, to learn about the issues facing polar bears and their arctic habitat.
Dr. Lydia Kolter
Cologne Zoo and Co-chair, EAZA, European Chapter of the Bear Taxon Advisory Group
Dr. Lydia Kolter works closely with zoos across Europe that house polar bears. She is committed to educating the public about polar bears, climate change, and the Arctic.
Dr. Nick Lunn
Canadian Wildlife Service, Research Scientist
Dr. Lunn focuses on the condition of the Western Hudson Bay population of polar bears in relation to environmental change.
Jill Marvin
Director of Animal Collections, Aquarium du Québec (PBI Arctic Ambassador Center)
CAZA (Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums) Board of Directors; Chair of Conservation and Education
Jill Marvin is motivated by the vital educational and inspirational role that zoos, aquariums, and their animal ambassadors have in engaging the public to protect species and their habitat. Her most recent work focuses on sharing PBI's wealth of information with the French-speaking community. She is also closely involved with CAZA's Arctic Biodiversity Initiative and the PBI Polar Bear Sustainability Alliance.
Dr. David Shepherdson
Oregon Zoo, Program Scientist
Dr. Shepherdson is known worldwide for his groundbreaking, PBI-funded study on stereotypic (repetitive) behavior in polar bears. He works with PBI to implement the findings from this study, which has revolutionized the way zoo-based bears are cared for—and has had significant impact on many other zoo-based animals.
Mike Spence
Mayor of Churchill, Wat'Chee Lodge Proprietor
As mayor of The Polar Bear Capital of the World, Mike Spence is familiar with many of the issues affecting the area's polar bears, including interactions with people. He serves as an invaluable liaison for PBI within the Churchill community. He also owns and operates Wat'Chee Lodge, a wildlife-viewing lodge south of Churchill where female polar bears emerge with their cubs in spring.
Dr. Ronald R. Swaisgood
San Diego Zoo, Center for Reproductive Studies, Associate Director
Dr. Swaisgood has authored or co-authored more than 40 scientific papers and has received numerous grants and awards.
Stewardship: Sustainability Alliance
Dr. Randi Meyerson
Toledo Zoo and Chair, American Zoo & Aquarium Association Polar Bear Species Survival Plan (SSP)
Dr. Randi Meyerson is the co-chair of our Sustainability Alliance. She closely involved with all issues concerning zoo-based polar bears in North America. She played a leadership role in producing a comprehensive nutrition manual for polar bears in zoos as well as a husbandry manual, and often volunteers for PBI projects.
Megan Owen
San Diego Zoo, Institute for Conservation Research
Megan Owen is also director of logistics for Dr. Tom Smith's maternal den study in northern Alaska. She has worked with PBI on research projects, including a polar bear hearing range study and an olfactory study at the zoo that has had application to wild populations.
Carmi Penny
San Diego Zoo, Associate Director of Collection Husbandry Science; PBI Sustainability Alliance
Carmi Penny passionate advocate for high standards in animal husbandry and enrichment. He is well-respected throughout the world-wide zoo community for his innovative outreach.
Dr. Holly Reed
Point Defiance Zoo, Veterinary Issues; PBI Sustainability Alliance
Dr. Holly Reed is highly respected by her peers for her medical knowledge, especially as it pertains to polar bears. She is currently working with the PBI Sustainability Alliance.
JoAnne Simerson
San Diego Zoo, Behavior Management; PBI Sustainability Alliance & Polar Bear Well-being
JoAnne Simerson has pioneered behavior management techniques with the polar bears at the San Diego Zoo, training them to participate in studies that test hearing range and estrus cycles. These studies provide scientists with valuable information and are intellectually stimulating to bears, helping prevent stereotypic behavior. Simerson is a volunteer for the PBI Field Ambassador lecture series in Churchill, Manitoba. [TBA]
Bill Watkins
Manitoba Conservation, Biologist; PBI Sustainability Alliance
Bill Watkins is well-acquainted with issues facing polar bears and the Far North. He is committed to educational endeavors and has assisted PBI with a number of projects. He was also instrumental in helping to develop the Manitoba Standards for Polar Bears, which provide guidelines for zoos to ensure the well-being of polar bears in zoos.
Bill Winhall
SeaWorld San Diego, Assistant Curator of Mammals;
PBI Sustainability Alliance
Bill Winhall is an active member of the PBI Sustainability Alliance, lending his expertise on rescue and rehab efforts. Bill has worked with us on various research projects involving zoo bears, including our recent study on polar bear's hearing range. Bill has 31 years of marine mammal experience, with a strong background in polar bear husbandry, training, enrichment, and exhibit design.
Geoff York
WWF Arctic Programme, Polar Bear Conservation, Senior Program Officer; PBI Sustainability Alliance
Geoff York is part of PBI’s Polar Bear Sustainability Alliance and worked with PBI to develop a Polar Bear Condition Score Card. He has also worked as a biologist and project manager for the U.S. Geological Survey's Polar Bear Program.
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