The Saint Louis Science Center and the Endangered Wolf Center are partnering to present “Red Wolf Revival,” the award-winning short documentary by the Nestbox Collective and Susannah Smith.
Open to the public, the screening will take place Thursday, Nov. 10 at the Saint Louis Science Center at 5050 Oakland Avenue. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Following the film, there will be a panel discussion, featuring prominent voices in the red wolf survival story (listed below) and Roshan Patel, the director of the film.
Tickets are available for $10 for members of either institution or $15 for non-members. To purchase tickets, call 314-289-4424 or visit any box office at the Saint Louis Science Center.
A cash bar and snacks will be available.
“Red wolves are the only large carnivore species that is solely native to the United States … truly ‘Made in the U.S.A.’ They are more American than apple pie and baseball combined, yet most Americans don’t realize that red wolves exist, let alone that they are on the brink of extinction.” said Virginia Busch, Executive Director of the Endangered Wolf Center.
“Red Wolf Revival” has received several awards, including Best Conservation Film and Best Short Film by the International Wildlife Film Festival and Best Documentary at the Progeny Film Festival.
The short documentary details the struggles facing the last remaining wild population of the American red wolf. Once native to Missouri and the entire Southeastern United States, red wolves are now on the brink of extinction, with fewer than 50 left in the wild. The film is centered on the historic recovery effort in Eastern North Carolina, and documents the multifaceted struggle to reintroduce one of the rarest animals on earth in the face of cultural, economic and biological challenges in North Carolina. The film director sat down with landowners, writers, scientists, nature centers and concerned citizens to examine the cultural landscape in the region, how the story became urgent, and explore the implications of the changes to come.
“Saving endangered animals takes a high level of science expertise,” said Pamela Braasch, Director of Education Programs for the Saint Louis Science Center. “The Science Center is very excited to partner with the Endangered Wolf Center in raising awareness of the plight of the red wolf and highlighting the science behind saving the species.”
For more information the film, the film trailer, and upcoming events, visit redwolfrevival.org
Meet the Panel
Roshan Patel, award-winning documentary filmmaker
Patel is a filmmaker deeply rooted in conservation storytelling. His films about critically endangered species such as Asiatic lions and red wolves have been selected for festivals around the world and have won Best Short, Best Documentary and Best Conservation Film awards. His work has also been featured on National Geographic’s short film showcase. “Red Wolf Revival” will be on PBS in early 2017. He lives in Bozeman, Montana.
Pete Benjamin, Field Supervisor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Red Wolf Recovery Program based in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Tom Meister – Biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation
Meister has been with the Conservation Department for 25 years, starting with Volunteer Naturalist, Naturalist, Visitor Center Manager and Interpretive Programs Supervisor. For the past 15 years, he has been a Wildlife Damage Biologist, providing education, technical evaluations and training to Missourians who are experiencing conflicts with wildlife. He is also a member of response, research and relocation teams for mountain lions, feral hogs, black bears and elk.
Regina Mossotti, Director of Animal Care and Conservation
Mossotti is a carnivore biologist who has worked with large carnivores for over 12 years. She has worked with many different species, from wolves in Yellowstone to mountain lions in California. She began her work at the Endangered Wolf Center as Director of Animal Care and Conservation six years ago. Regina currently sits on the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) Management Teams for the red wolf, Mexican wolf and African painted dog. SSPs help save critically endangered species through research, education, conservation and husbandry.
Ashley Rearden, Director of Education
Rearden graduated from St. Louis University with a B.A. in Communication and with a Juris Doctor Degree from St. Louis University’s School of Law and passed the Missouri bar exam that fall. Her passion for animals and education led her to the Endangered Wolf Center in 2012. As Director of Education and as an Education Adviser for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Red Wolf Species Survival Plan, she works with organizations and schools across the country to develop education tools that help spread awareness about the critically endangered red wolf.
About the Saint Louis Science Center
The mission of the Saint Louis Science Center is to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning. It is one of the top 15 science centers worldwide and was named one of the Top 10 Science Centers for Families by Parents magazine. The Saint Louis Science Center complex includes a four-story OMNIMAX® Theater, Boeing Hall and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. For more information about the Saint Louis Science Center, please visit www.slsc.org.
About the Endangered Wolf Center
The Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka, Missouri, just outside St. Louis, is the premier wolf conservation, education, reproduction, and research center in the United States. Its mission is to preserve and protect Mexican wolves, red wolves and other wild canid species, with purpose and passion, through carefully managed breeding, reintroduction and inspiring education programs. The Center was founded in 1971 by Marlin Perkins and his wife, Carol. Perkins is best known as the longtime host of television’s “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.” The Endangered Wolf Center is an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) certified facility and is a 501(c)3 non-profit. For more information go to: www.endangeredwolfcenter.org and follow the Center on Facebook and Twitter.