Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, M.D., is a cardiologist and evolutionary biologist on the faculty of Harvard and UCLA. She received her B.A. and Master’s degrees at Harvard and her medical degree at UC San Francisco. For twenty years she practiced cardiology – taking care of patients with heart attacks – until zoos asked her to help out. Now she studies wild animals – their behavior and their bodies – to better understand and improve human health. In her books Zoobiquity and Wildhood Dr. Natterson-Horowitz explores health, illness and what it means to become an adult across species.

So, how can studying giraffe health benefit human health? We’ll find out when we chat with Dr. Natterson-Horowitz!  

Also, Kaitlyn Taylor, a Junior Giraffe Club facilitator, is currently in South Africa pursuing her Masters degree in Wildlife Science at the University of the Free State. Her research is focusing on how human sounds impact giraffe behaviour and if giraffes can become habituated to these noises. She will be talking about what it’s like to be a graduate student working with giraffes and her experiences so far (we can’t wait!). Originally from Mississauga, Ontario, Kaitlyn graduated from West Liberty University in West Virginia double majoring in Zoo Science and Applied Conservation, and Environmental Stewardship and Education.

 Join us for another fantastic get together with the Junior Giraffe Club! See you soon!