Jeff Corwin talks conservation during speaker UTPA series

EDINBURG - Times are tough for ecological systems throughout the world.

Animals including frogs and birds are disappearing from their habitats and extinction rates today are matched only by extinction rates in the time of the dinosaurs, said wildlife conservationist Jeff Corwin, the Emmy-winning host of two shows on Animal Planet.

"We are in unprecedented dark times when it comes to preservation," Corwin said during a news conference Tuesday before his appearance as the first guest in the University of Texas-Pan American's 2008-09 Distinguished Speakers Series.

He added that it is everyone's responsibility as stewards of their communities' resources to make sure those resources are being used wisely.

Corwin, with the help of some friends from the animal kingdom and children from the audience, discussed the importance of conservation to a packed room at the university's fine arts auditorium.

Children helped hold toads, lizards and other amphibians and reptiles while Corwin handled more dangerous creatures, including a viper. Video screens showed what was happening on stage so that everyone could be involved in the experience.

Corwin said before his performance that he enjoys connecting with the audience and giving those who come to his show the opportunity to see animals they might never have seen before.

"I want to sort of build an atmosphere of respect," he said. "I want the audience to live with a better understanding of (animals)."

People lined up in front of the fine arts auditorium more than an hour before the doors opened at 7 p.m. for the free event. Many brought their children, a considerable number of whom were fans of Corwin's shows, "Corwin's Quest" and "The Jeff Corwin Experience."

"He's my favorite Animal Planet star and I like his show," said 10-year-old Ivan Gonzalez, a fifth-grader at Kika de la Garza Elementary School in Mission. "He's really funny and he catches all sorts of wildlife. And I really like how he likes bugs, because I want to be an entomologist when I grow up."

Sisters Stacie and Sasha Solis said they were looking forward to seeing the animals that usually accompany Corwin on his visits.

"I like how he catches them (on his show)," said 8-year-old Sasha, a third-grader at Sanchez Elementary in McAllen.

FYI
This is the fifth year of the University of Texas-Pan American's Distinguished Speakers Series. Previous speakers have included actor Louis Gossett Jr. and legendary journalist Bob Woodward. Future speakers for 2008-09 series are:
>> Nov. 1 - former Egyptian first lady Jehan Sadat.
>> Jan. 27 - Robert Ballard, an oceanographer who discovered the Titanic.
>> March 10 - Judy Shepard, a gay rights advocate and mother of Matthew Shepard.