| One Person Makes A Difference! |
| Roxanne
Kremer Executive
Director and Founder |
The Challenge Peace Award
to Roxanne Kremer
by Randall Johnson
Excerpted from CHALLENGE Magazine, Autumn 1990 |
At this time, in this world, there are certain
individuals who are creating the conditions for peace. Leaders or followers
they may be, powerful and charismatic or gentle and retiring they may be.
The
common factor among these very special people is their inner light, their
love for mankind and a benevolent manner of communicating these qualities.
Click here to download a 1/2 minute video that represents
a plea for support from the Pink Dolphins and other animals of the Rainforest.
|
Roxanne and dolphin friend Beatrice communicate
and share love |
How far can one person go to protect
a species from extinction? This was the question and challenge that confronted
Roxanne Kremer in 1982 when she learned that the charismatic pink dolphins
of the Amazon River basin were being brutally slaughtered because of human
avarice and superstitious beliefs.
Recalling the night she spent at a Peruvian
jungle camp on the Yarapa River (at which time the dolphins claimed her
in spirit), she responded to their urgent call to action by dedicating
her time, energies and resources to ensuring the survival of this little-known
group of cetaceans by alerting the world to their cry.
|
As Roxanne became familiar with the
plight of these extraordinary animals, she switched from a role of behaviorist
and naturalist to that of a champion and crusader. "If I didn't do something
to protect these animals," she said, "there would be nothing left to study!"
At that moment, a vision took shape and a saga of bravery, courage and
determination began to unfold which continues to this day. |
Roxanne with capybara, a 40 pound Amazon "poodle". |
Having spent most of her adult life
trying to protect the dignity of animals and indigenous peoples, Roxanne
began to speak to anyone who would listen to her about the imminent destruction
of the world's largest rainforest. At first, most people dismissed her
impassioned pleas as someone else's problem, something that was happening
on another continent. However, when she began to mention pink dolphins
in connection with the Amazon River's ecosystem, she attracted larger,
more attentive audiences. |
Roxanne with Chief Raune of the Kayapo Indians
of Brazil |
1986 proved to be a pivotal year for Roxanne.
She established the Preservation of the Amazonian River Dolphin (PARD)
as the first project of ISTPR and completed a 12-minute trailer film of
an educational documentary on the plight of the river dolphins, the rainforest
and native Indian tribes.
Each year brought about new achievements as
Roxanne worked at various governmental and local levels in Peru and Brazil,
building trust and confidence by keeping promises. By demonstrating to
the local people that their resources were more economically important
alive than dead, pride was given back to the people at the village level
(where it really makes a difference) and the animals and their habitats
were protected.
Roxanne has become an instrument operating
at another level of consciousness. In many situations, her words and actions
flow spontaneously as if from a higher source. Whether she is nursing a
dying ocelot cub back to health, placing a poacher under citizen's arrest
or scratching the tongue of a frightened dolphin during a rescue operation,
her "true grit" conviction and "unconditional love" shines forth like a
beacon, lighting the way for others to follow.
|
Throughout her life, Roxanne Kremer
has been living proof that one person can make a difference. One of
the most important challenges now facing humanity is the development of
environmentally responsible programs for our common ecological heritage.
Toward this cud, she is truly a pioneer who deserves all the praise and
laurels she has gathered.
Roxanne Kremer is a person of unlimited
strength and courage, and incredible person born with a cause. |
Roxanne feeding pink dolphin vitamins
before being released back to their natural
habitat. |
WorldWIDE Network 1997 Directory of Women in Environment
International Society for the Preservation of the Tropical Rainforests
(ISPTR)
Preservation of the Amazonian River Dolphin (PARD)
3302 N. Burton Avenue, Rosemead, California 91770 USA
Telephone 626-572-0233 Telex/Fax 626-572-9521
Tel/Fax Peru 011-51-94-2496 |
| Education |
BS Zoology, Extensive Research on Dolphins, Gorillas |
| Language Usage |
English |
| Will Serve As |
Consultant, Speaker, Project Coordinator, Grassroots Activity,
Communications |
| Type of Activity |
Communication, Commun. Development, Education/Training,
Government, Grassroots Activity, Litigation, Planning/Fundraising, Political
Action |
| Area of Activity |
National (Peru, Brazil), Regional |
| Subject of |
Agriculture, Biological Sciences, Environmental Economics,
Environmental Education, Environmental Technology, Environment and Health/Population,
Forestry |
| Activity/Expertise |
Water Resources, Natural Resource Management, Reclamation,
Pesticides, Sanitation, Soil Management, Waste Management, Wildlife/Endangered
Species, Women |
"Peruvian authorities honored Mrs. Roxanne Kremer, Executive Director
and founder of the International Society for the Preservation of the Tropical
Rainforest. She was awarded the Medal of Honor from the Peruvian Navy,
Army, Airforce and Pro-Marina Association."
Alejandro Ugarte, Deputy Consul General of Peru, Los Angeles
|
"The Smithsonian Institution recognizes the works and activities
of the International Society for the Preservation of the Tropical Rainforest
and the Preservation of the Amazonian River Dolphin. We are working on
a joint project in South America. Roxanne Kremer, Executive Director and
founder is a field liasion with the Marine Systems Laboratory of the Smithsonian
Institution in Washington, D.C. USA."
Tomothy R. Goertemiller, Marine Biologist, Smithsonian Institution,
Marine Systems Laboratory
|
"I personally support the conservation and education effort
of the organization known as Preservation of the Amazonian River Dolphin
(PARD), Roxanne Kremer, Director. It is only through the cooperative efforts
between organizations such as P.A.R.D. and government agencies that meaningful
and lasting conservation will be achieved. Any consideration that can be
given Ms. Kremer that will enable her to fulfill her conservation and public
education goals will be greatly appreciated by me."
Saul L. Kitchener, Director, San Francisco Zoological Gardens
|
"I am happy to acknowledge the role that Roxanne Kremer
is playing in the International conservation arena. Roxanne has worked
with me here at Lincoln Park Zoo for many years and is very dedicated to
the field of captive animal management. She has taken a leadership role
in the preservation of freshwater dolphins in South America. Roxanne has
generously given of her time and financial resources to assist in conservation
work that she has now been involved with for many years. I commend her
for any related conservation work that she may assume in the future."
Lester E. Fisher, D.V.M., Director, Lincoln Park Zoological Gardens,
Chicago, Illinois USA
|
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Email: pard_expeditions@yahoo.com
Copyright © 1999, 2004 ISPTR/PARD |
