benmasters88

benmasters88 t1_ixcee7s wrote

Reply to comment by Alwayssunnyinarizona in AskScience AMA Series: I'm a wildlife filmmaker who's spent years tracking and filming the endangered ocelot population in Texas. Ask me anything! by AskScienceModerator

I studied wildlife biology at Texas A&M and then started making short films after college about wildlife, adventure, and consevation stories. I've got a small company cllaed Fin and Fur Films. Being a Texan, I've always been fascinated by ocelots. Private property has pros and cons. When there's a conservation minded landowner it makes things wonderful but sometimes market forces or family politics make landscape scale conservation really difficult. It's definitely a challenge for sure when it comes to private land ownership and endangered species restoration. That said, there's been success in the past with other endangered animals and the future could be bright for ocelots.

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benmasters88 t1_ix9fsk6 wrote

Reply to comment by pam_the_dude in AskScience AMA Series: I'm a wildlife filmmaker who's spent years tracking and filming the endangered ocelot population in Texas. Ask me anything! by AskScienceModerator

I suggest making a short film first. That's a great way to learn about all the roles and is a better resume tool than a degree. That's the first thing I ask when someone asks to work at our company, is for a film or a reel

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benmasters88 t1_ix9flku wrote

Reply to comment by bobmac102 in AskScience AMA Series: I'm a wildlife filmmaker who's spent years tracking and filming the endangered ocelot population in Texas. Ask me anything! by AskScienceModerator

we're on the same page. It's such a difficult thing to know where to best put them. Here in Texas there's virtually no zoning and some of the wind farms are in super important migratory pathways and very sensitive habitat, kind of negating their purpose. It's tough and I don't know the best pathway, but recognizing that alternative energy has a huge impact is really important.

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benmasters88 t1_ix9eyh2 wrote

Reply to comment by 60fuckinshooters in AskScience AMA Series: I'm a wildlife filmmaker who's spent years tracking and filming the endangered ocelot population in Texas. Ask me anything! by AskScienceModerator

there are many! the Nature Conservancy is doing conservation easements in ocelot areas and the USFWS is extending their habitat on the refute. It's working but it's not super large scale, is very expensive, and takes a long time.

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benmasters88 t1_ix9ejod wrote

Reply to comment by motorfreak93 in AskScience AMA Series: I'm a wildlife filmmaker who's spent years tracking and filming the endangered ocelot population in Texas. Ask me anything! by AskScienceModerator

In wildlife biologist circles we talk about how the mountain lions are beautiful, but their noses are kind of funny. Bobcats? They're amazing but their tails are too short. Jaguars? Well their heads are too big and they're built like barrels. But ocelots! They've got rosettes, stripes, bars, and are the most beautiful and athletic cat we've got!

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benmasters88 t1_ix9eb2k wrote

Reply to comment by ophel1a_ in AskScience AMA Series: I'm a wildlife filmmaker who's spent years tracking and filming the endangered ocelot population in Texas. Ask me anything! by AskScienceModerator

I love that idea too but I don't think it's realistic. There's just way too many humans between the wild ocelots in mexico and the US to have a natural corridor that could realistically be an interchange between the populations.

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