Post by Tressie on Mar 13, 2011 14:51:06 GMT -4
I was stunned to learn that Dr. JoGayle Howard died last week of malignant melanoma 
For those who have not heard of her, she is the reproductive veterinarian at the Smithsonian Institute who brought the black-footed ferret back from near extinction.
The black-footed ferret was only one of the many species she saved.
Two years ago I had the privilege of watching "Peanut" the black-footed ferret being born. He was one of the ferrets who was a product of sperm that had been frozen 20 years earlier from those first black-footed ferrets rescued. I just happened to navigate to the webcam to watch the miraculous birth taking place.
I kept a long-distanced eye on Peanut for several days, and when it appeared he was having trouble latching, I searched and found Dr. Howard's email address and emailed her with my concern.
I hoped that at least some Research Assistant in her lab might get the message and check in on Peanut. To my astonishment Dr. Howard herself replied within minutes. She sent me her private cell phone number and asked me to monitor Peanut and keep her informed if there was anything else of concern I saw, night or day.
Here I was in little Nova Scotia monitoring a wee black-footed ferret kit thousands of kilometers away at the request of an International Super Star in the biology world! For the next several days I did in fact call Dr. Howard several times, generally on her way somewhere important. Each and every time she was gracious and grateful.
Now sadly, this brilliant world-renowned pioneer has passed from this world
I like to think that she is strolling somewhere in Rainbow Bridge with a clouded leopard and Giant Panda at her side and a wee black-footed ferret scampering around her feet.
blogs.smithsonianmag.com/aroundthemall/2011/03/the-smithsonian-mourns-dr-jogayle-howard-wildlife-biologist-1951-2011/
Tressie
For those who have not heard of her, she is the reproductive veterinarian at the Smithsonian Institute who brought the black-footed ferret back from near extinction.
The black-footed ferret was only one of the many species she saved.
Two years ago I had the privilege of watching "Peanut" the black-footed ferret being born. He was one of the ferrets who was a product of sperm that had been frozen 20 years earlier from those first black-footed ferrets rescued. I just happened to navigate to the webcam to watch the miraculous birth taking place.
I kept a long-distanced eye on Peanut for several days, and when it appeared he was having trouble latching, I searched and found Dr. Howard's email address and emailed her with my concern.
I hoped that at least some Research Assistant in her lab might get the message and check in on Peanut. To my astonishment Dr. Howard herself replied within minutes. She sent me her private cell phone number and asked me to monitor Peanut and keep her informed if there was anything else of concern I saw, night or day.
Here I was in little Nova Scotia monitoring a wee black-footed ferret kit thousands of kilometers away at the request of an International Super Star in the biology world! For the next several days I did in fact call Dr. Howard several times, generally on her way somewhere important. Each and every time she was gracious and grateful.
Now sadly, this brilliant world-renowned pioneer has passed from this world
I like to think that she is strolling somewhere in Rainbow Bridge with a clouded leopard and Giant Panda at her side and a wee black-footed ferret scampering around her feet.
blogs.smithsonianmag.com/aroundthemall/2011/03/the-smithsonian-mourns-dr-jogayle-howard-wildlife-biologist-1951-2011/
Tressie
We love you precious babies !