Explore the fascinating social lives of apes and elephants through the research of two local scientists – with a bonus screening of the IMAX movie “Born to Be Wild” – in a special lecture-and-movie night on Wed., Nov. 9 at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.
Dr. Gary P. Aronsen, director of the Biological Anthropology Laboratories at Yale University, and Dr. Nancy E. Todd, professor of biology at Manhattanville College, will offer insights into primate and elephant behavior and conservation during this family-friendly event, which begins at 7 p.m.
Their multimedia presentations will be followed by a screening of the IMAX movie “Born to Be Wild,” which follows two remarkable women who rescue and raise orphaned orangutans and elephants, for eventual return to the wild.
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Aronsen has studied wild primates in Africa and Central America, along with elephants in western Uganda. He’ll explain how apes and elephants both rely on complex social systems for survival, and thus how poaching and habitat destruction are especially damaging beyond the impact on individual animals. Aronsen also will offer some perspective on such reintroduction efforts as those documented in “Born to Be Wild.”
Todd specializes in elephant evolutionary biology. She’ll compare the social and emotional needs of elephants to those of humans, including mother-infant bonds, and discuss the harmful impacts of poaching. She’ll also include her experiences fostering and watching young elephants mature into successful adults at the elephant orphanage in Kenya that is featured in “Born to Be Wild.”
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“Born to Be Wild” cleaned up in September at the Giant Screen Cinema Association’s 2011 Achievement Awards, taking home four of the six possible trophies. “Born to be Wild” was named Best Film Produced for the Giant Screen, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score and Best Film for Lifelong Learning.
Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman narrates the film, which journeys into the lush rain forests of Borneo with orangutan expert Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas and across the rugged Kenyan savannah with elephant authority Dame Daphne Sheldrick. An inspiring story of love, dedication and the remarkable bond between humans and animals, “Born to Be Wild” shows that these women’s rescue and rehabilitation centers are places where endangered species are being saved, one life at a time.
The Warner Bros. film is 40 minutes long.
Tickets for the Nov. 9 lecture-and-film are $12.50 for adults and $10 for children ages 2-12. Maritime Aquarium members receive $2 discounts. Reserve tickets online at www.maritimeaquarium.org or call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206.
An audience favorite, “Born to Be Wild” will play daily at the Aquarium through June 3. Current show times are noon and 2 p.m. daily. (Call ahead to confirm times or text TMA to 71297.) Tickets for “Born to Be Wild” are $9 for adults, $8 for seniors 65+ and $6.50 for children 2-12. Maritime Aquarium members receive $2 discounts. To include Aquarium admission, tickets are $19.45 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and $14.45 for children.
For more information about The Maritime Aquarium’s IMAX movies, exhibits and other offerings, call (203) 852-0700 or go online to www.MaritimeAquarium.org.
