Shinnecock Hills resident and veterinarian Dr. Scarlett Magda is working to build awareness of the dangers surrounding African gorillas, mostly due to tourists and human activity.
A board member of Veterinarians Without Borders, Dr. Magda told The Southampton Press her target audience is tourists in the United States, Europe and Africa, and in an attempt to highlight the effects they have on wild gorillas, her aim is to make a 10- to 12-minute film for tourists and citizens alike that will highlight the deadly issues surrounding these gorillas as well as what we can do to help the endangered species.
Magda received her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Guelph in 2005 and later earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Ontario Veterinary College of the University of Guelph in 2009. She organized and funded a research project investigating saddle-related injuries in working Asian elephants in the Thai and Indian tourism industry during her veterinary studies, and the project won the 2008 Ballard Award from Morris Animal Foundation’s Veterinary Student Scholars competition.
Magda is still short about $20,000 to accomplish her goals. To donate or find out more, email her at email@example.com.