Tanzania subject of IMNH lecture May 17

 The Idaho Museum of Natural History and the Portneuf Valley Audubon Society will co-sponsor a presentation about the wildlife-rich country of Tanzania in East Africa. The lecture “Tanzania – On the Other Side of the World” by Kristin Fletcher, the museum’s program manager, will be held May 17, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the IMNH Classroom 204. 

    Tanzania is home to Olduvai Gorge—often referred to as the “cradle of humanity”—the world-famous Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area.  In addition to the diversity of wildlife, over 140 distinctly different cultural groups exist in a country considered one of the 50 poorest in the world.  

    In January 2007, Fletcher traveled with a small eco-tour group going off the beaten trail to visit many famous and not-so-famous sites.  She will share stories and photos of the people, wildlife and landscapes.  Highlights include a visit to a Masaai women’s cooperative, the Serengeti Visitors Center, wildlife such as elephants, zebra and cheetah plus many unique bird species, including some five feet tall.

    “It was the trip of a lifetime,” said Fletcher. “I was simply amazed by the abundance of wildlife and how closely rural people live to incredible numbers of predators and prey.  But I also noticed how quickly, sometimes painfully, the country is transforming in the face of globalization.”

    For more information, contact Fletcher at 282-2262 or fletkris@isu.edu.