Q&A with Wildlife Madagascar’s first South American member: Dr. Martin Zordan
Tell us a little about yourself and your career.
I am a veterinarian by training. I have worked mostly with zoos and aquariums associations that help these institutions to continuously improving their approach towards wildlife conservation and animal welfare.
What do you love most about your work?
Meeting passionate people who believe that making the world better for wildlife also means making it better for people. Anything that allows us to grow and increase our understanding. I find it particularly interesting when projects or programs find ways to become more sustainable, which I believe is what Wildlife Madagascar is achieving.
What draws you to support wildlife and conservation?
People. It is people doing their best so we can thrive with nature which gives me hope. If I meet them, I want to support them.
Who or what inspires you?
The beauty of nature—it is like magic, just think about an indri call or the astonishing colors of a Parson’s chameleon—and also the nobility of people. Those two combined remind me that our planet can be a paradise.
What memorable experiences did you have on your recent trip with Wildlife Madagascar?
There are so many, but I found it spectacular to hear some of the legends about lemurs and people—many of those are at the base of why some communities respect lemurs so much. One of the most memorable experiences I had was at Namoroka, we were talking with Dr. Tim Eppley while in a gallery forest and we saw some Decken’s sifakas. We continued our conversation, and one of the sifakas got curious, to the point that it was probably one meter from us looking us from a tree. It was such a gift, it happened so naturally and yet it was such a precious moment…two species of primates (the sifaka and us).
Why did you become a member of Wildlife Madagascar? What about this organization is meaningful to you?
I believe in and care for its vision “Healthy communities advocating for and conserving Madagascar’s forests and wildlife.” But most importantly I believe in the people working to make that vision come true. I have had the pleasure of witnessing their commitment and work.