What Does Father’s Day Mean for Scientists?

On Father’s Day, Panthera knows there is no conservation without people. And without fathers, none of us would be able to fight for the animals we love. So, we’re showcasing four of our scientists who are also fathers! Dr. John Goodrich, Dr. Mark Elbroch, Dr. Abishek Harihar, and Dr. Omar Ohrens, Panthera’s Tiger Program Director, Puma Program Director and Conservation Scientists, respectively, were asked about their unique perspective on parenting and conservation as wild cat experts. Their answers offer a touching insight into what it means to be a parent in a world where wild creatures need protecting.

How do your kids affect the way you work as a scientist?  

Dr. Goodrich: Completely changed my career. Before kids, I spent most of my time in the field, often spending months at a time away from home.  Now, I hate to be away for more than a week or so. 

You've had the chance to bring your kids into the field with you. What lessons have they picked up?  

Dr. Goodrich: They have a deep understanding of the conservation challenges the world faces, and also are strong hikers and well able to endure the rigors of extended time in the wild in less-than-ideal conditions. 

How can our supporters involve their own children in wild cat conservation?  

Dr. Goodrich: Get them into the wild. While observing wild cats is tough, you can find signs of them, easily observe some of their prey, and enjoy their habitat while teaching your children how important these things are for cats, for biodiversity, and for people. 

How does your work with wild cats shape how you are as a father? 

Dr. Elbroch: It certainly influences the opportunities I can offer my children. But more, I often find myself trying to do certain field work just to expose them to it…I want my children to know what a puma looks like, smells like, feels like. I want them to know what footprints they encounter in the woods, and to realize what invisible animals surround us. I want them to see prey killed by pumas and to see where they hide and sleep and give birth to young. It’s not for me or I must confess for the project, so much as it’s for them. And they love it, the fact that they get to come to work with me and see things few others ever get to see. They soak up these crazy adventures and who knows how it might influence how they think or who they become in years to come. 

You've had the chance to bring your kids into the field with you. What lessons have they picked up? 

Dr. Elbroch: That life is an adventure. That we are surrounded by wild beauty. That animals are amazing and deserve our respect. And who knows what else. 

How can our supporters involve their own children in wild cat conservation? 

Dr. Elbroch: Watch documentaries with their children (don’t just leave them in front of the screen) and discuss them at length. Talk to them about conservation and conundrums that threaten cats. Bring them to public events about wild cats. Bring them to wild places and show them footprints and other signs. Bring them to wild places enough that they feel comfortable outside. 

How does your work with wild cats shape how you are as a father? 

Dr. Harihar: I have gained a deep sense of place through my work with wild cats. It has opened my eyes to a more nuanced understanding of where we fit in this complicated world. Furthermore, I also have a great deal of respect for the communities and people who share space with these species. As a scientist, I am firmly convinced that in order to conserve these endangered species, we must rely on robust science, sustainability, social justice and equity. I hope that as a father, I will instill these values in my son and share them as much as I can with him. 

You've had the chance to bring your kids into the field with you. What lessons have they picked up? 

Dr. Harihar: My partner and I have been taking our son to the field since he was about a year old. He saw his first tiger in the wild when he was little over one. As a 7-year-old, he has visited diverse habitats and seen many species big and small in the wilderness. He can identify most of them, and has learnt a lot about their natural history by incessantly asking questions. He enjoys being outdoors and has a keen admiration and deep compassion for all kinds of creatures. 

What is the number one message about wild cats that you want your children to understand?  

Dr. Harihar: I want my son to appreciate both the unique ecological role wild cats play and the efforts made by both local communities and conservationists that have made their persistence possible against so many odds.

How do your kids affect the way you work as a scientist? 

Dr. Ohrens: Interestingly, I feel like newer generations are more aware of the current stage our world is in and have a better sense of what we have to do in order to protect biodiversity. My daughter is constantly reminding me of what we should do as individuals in this world in terms of protecting wildlife and biodiversity, and that even a small contribution can have a large impact on making things better for our children in the future. 

You've had the chance to bring your kids into the field with you. What lessons have they picked up? 

Dr. Ohrens: I have not been able to bring [my daughter] to the actual field yet, but I have brought her out to learn about nature. I think the lesson she has picked up is that we are surrounded by others (humans and wildlife), and all of them need to be respected. She certainly is amazed by pumas and would love to have the experience of being close to or even seeing them. 

How can our supporters involve their own children in wild cat conservation? 

Dr. Ohrens: I think there are several ways to involve them; a few things that come to my mind: show them books, pictures and documentaries of wild cats, and discuss all information related to them, like where they come from, where you can find them, what are their major threats, among other information. But I would also say that not just giving them information will make them feel involved or aware of [wild cats]. I think that life experiences with wildlife and nature contributes enormously to that as well. Being able to connect information from books and screens, with actual information in the wild (direct observation or signs), will strengthen their connection to wild cats. 

Helping spearhead game-changing programs like Tigers Forever and the Olympic Cougar Project, our scientist fathers are creating a world safe for wild cats and their children. To safeguard wildlife for your children, please consider donating to Panthera.