Course Description

Instructor: John McDonald

In this course we will study Tigers, Lions, Leopards and Cheetahs. We will study the evolution of each species, along with their similarities and differences. Session

Session 1 : Cheetahs - the fastest of all land animals and threatened with extinction,

Session 2 ; Lions - the most recognized and once the most numerous of all the big cats,

Session 3 ; Tigers - the largest of all the cats and the most endangered, Session 4 : Leopards - the most numerous and geographically dispersed of all the big cats.

We will examine physical characteristics, habitat, behavior and social structure. We will also look at human and cat interactions and conflicts as well as geopolitical influences which will either save these animals for future generations or result in their extinction in the wild.

Bio:  John McDonald retired from IBM and Arrow Electronics. He has had a life long interest in the big cats. While in college he worked in primate research. After graduation he spent time with Dave Hoover, the lion and tiger trainer with the Clyde Beatty and Cole Bros. Circus. He corresponded with George Adamson of "Born Free" fame and was offered the opportunity to conduct field research on Andamson's lions in Kenya. For several years he has returned to Africa working as a volunteer with wild cheetahs at the Cheetah Conservation Fund's facility in Namibia.