Profile of an Education Liaison

Michelle Smurl, Director of Animal Programs, Brevard Zoo
Liaison for the Antelope and Giraffe TAG since 2002

How did you get involved as a liaison?

I began attending the Antelope TAG meetings as the Common and Defassa Waterbuck studbook keeper and PMP coordinator and became involved at Brevard Zoo with a Snare Removal Program in Zimbabwe. It was a natural transition into the liaison role due to the combination of my interests and involvement in field conservation programs. The position was vacant and the TAG chair welcomed the initiative.

Describe your professional background.

I have a B.S. in Animal Sciences and a Master's in Library Sciences. I worked in the education department at Busch Gardens for a few years prior to becoming an animal keeper. After eight years at Busch Garden's I accepted a job at Brevard Zoo as the Curator of Animals. Our mission statement is "Wildlife conservation through education and participation." I currently serve as the Director of Animal Programs and work closely with the Education Director (also an Antelope TAG liaison) and Conservation Coordinator to ensure our conservation strategy is being met in house and in the field.

Program accomplishments

We developed an environmental teaching suitcase, initiated to compliment a Snare Removal Program in and around the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. The suitcase is designed specifically to focus on a given species or animal habitat. Indigenous educators use the suitcase as a tool to teach children about environmental issues that are pertinent to their specific geographic location. Local teachers utilize this traveling "suitcase" which moves throughout the surrounding communities.

In early 2005 the Antelope TAG partnered up with the Equid TAG and donated a teaching suitcase to support the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and the Northern Rangelands Endangered Species Program (NRESP) Education and Awareness Program in Kenya. The conservation education materials are being utilized during semi-annual visits to schools within the seven communities currently partnered with NRESP.

Another suitcase was recently escorted by Brevard Zoo staff to Kenya for the education center at the William Holden Wildlife Foundation, the home of the successful Bongo Repatriation Project that is supported by the Antelope TAG.

In 2005 we began evaluating the impact of the suitcases on the communities.

Where have you found funding for your program efforts?

In a three year period the Brevard Zoo raised over $10,000 (11% of the conservation budget) to donate to antelope and giraffe related conservation projects. Funds are collected from each train ticket sold at the zoo, the zookeepers organize bake sales and sell items in the gift shop and the teen volunteers hosted a dinner which contributed $2500 for the Snare Removal Project. A donation box in the gift shop designated for antelope and giraffe field projects raises over $2000 on an annual basis.

What have been your biggest challenges as a liaison?

The biggest challenge as an Antelope TAG liaison has been finding the time to accomplish the smallest of tasks. The education liaison program needs to expand to cover every species under the umbrella of the Antelope TAG!

What have been your biggest rewards as a liaison?

The biggest rewards to date have been receiving letters of appreciation from representatives in the field expressing gratitude for the educational materials and receiving pictures of children interacting with the materials and learning more about the species we are working so hard to protect.

What are your goals for the program?

I look forward to expanding the program, launching a new website, raising levels of awareness for antelope and building positive attitudes toward in situ and ex situ conservation programs and activities.

Words of Wisdom

Remember that small contributions can make a huge impact.