The National Geographic Nature Roars Back event will be at the Park City Eccles Center this weekend.
This Saturday at 7:30 Cinematographer Bob Poole will be presenting at the Eccles Center. The African wildlife photographer explains what the event will entail.
“I’m going to tell a story about my life, and how I ended up in this amazing place called Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, and what happened to me there, and what happened to the park. It's quite an uplifting story,” Poole explained. “It's called ‘Nature Roars Back’, and it really is about how resilient nature is, especially in Africa. It's mostly a story told with still images; however, I use video clips from my series. Which was a National Geographic PBS six-part series that I was the main presenter of the series. So, I do use clips in my show to advance the story and to really set you right in the middle of the action.”
Poole began working in Gorongosa National Park in 2008. He said he was drawn to the park finding excuses to find work there. Poole explained the Gorongosa was one of Africa’s greatest national parks in the mid-20th century, but overthrowing imperialistic rulers, followed by civil conflict in Mozambique resulted in the death of millions; it also devastated the park. In the early 21st century efforts were focused on repopulating the park.
“I mean we didn't see much wildlife in those days,” Poole said. “But what happened during the time that I was there was just unbelievable. It's just, it's so hard to describe. But in my story, I do my best to explain just how incredible it was to see the wildlife start to come back. Where it was then, and where it is now is of course just absolutely staggering. So, it's a great story of hope and how natural systems can recover if we give them a chance.”
Poole says now there are over 100,000 big animals in Gorongosa. Including lions, elephants, zebras, hyenas, antelope, and leopards. Poole says he appreciates the interactive aspects of the Nat Geo Live shows, and how they impact conservation efforts.
“It's nice to be able to take an hour or a little longer and really absorb into one thing like that,” Poole continued. “Uninterrupted, no commercials, and then you get to witness this story lives and then ask me questions. So, if anything strikes you as interesting there you want to know more about, I'm there on-stage fielding questions. Then I actually go out in the lobby and field questions there as well until people are done.”
Tickets start at $29 You can purchase tickets and find more information about the showhere.
