On February 15th, CHAIRE and the Environmental Professionals Network co-hosted Coyotes, Coffee, and Carnivores - Finding human-animal coexistence in a crowded world. The program featured discussions from CHAIRE's Program Coordinator, Madeline Winans, Dr. José Vicente López Bao from Universidad de Oviedo-Campus de Mieres, Dr. Stanley Gehrt from the School of Environment and Natural Resources, and President and CEO of Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Tom Schmid.
With roughly 100 guests attending in-person, and over 300 people watching the livestream, this hybrid-style event was able to reach audiences not only across Ohio, but around the world. Attendees heard an overview of the many conservation programs the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium supports locally and globally, were encouraged to consider a framework to shift the public's perspective of living alongside carnivores, and presented with a case study where a large carnivore species, the coyote, has successfully been living in urban communities for the last few decades.
Following the main program, Dr. Kelly George and Madeline Winans held an informal discussion for student attendees, where students had the opportunity to ask questions regarding beginning a career in the fields of human-animal interactions and conservation.
CHAIRE was very thankful for the opportunity to co-host this event with EPN, and present this unique panel of guest speakers to a broad audience. We look forward to hopeful collaboration with the EPN in the future as well.
You can watch the full recording and view more photos of the event here: