Alan Rabinowitz: Man & Beast – A Journey of Silence, Strength, and Conservation

Introduction

In the captivating episode titled "Alan Rabinowitz: Man & Beast" from The Moth podcast, renowned wildlife biologist Dr. Alan Rabinowitz shares his profoundly personal and inspiring story. From overcoming a debilitating stutter in childhood to pioneering jaguar conservation efforts in the jungles of Belize, Rabinowitz's narrative is a testament to resilience, passion, and the unspoken bond between humans and animals.

Early Life and Struggles with Stuttering

Dr. Rabinowitz begins his story by recounting his early childhood experiences that shaped his relationship with communication and animals.

• Encounter with a Jaguar at the Bronx Zoo ([02:07]): At five years old, Rabinowitz stands before an old female jaguar, an encounter that becomes a pivotal memory. He attempts to communicate with the animal, only to be interrupted by his father.

• Battling a Severe Stutter ([02:17]): Rabinowitz describes his lifelong struggle with a severe stutter, distinguishing it from typical childhood speech delays:

  "But the complete blockage of airflow where if I try to push words out, my head would spasm and my body would spasm." ([02:25])

• Misunderstood by the Education System ([03:15]): Faced with misunderstanding from authorities, he was placed in a "class for disturbed children," a label that compounded his feelings of isolation and frustration.

Finding Solace with Animals

Amidst the challenges of communication, Rabinowitz discovers a sanctuary in his interactions with animals.

• Communication Without Words ([04:00]): Rabinowitz shares how he found he could speak fluently with his pets—hamsters, gerbils, turtles, and even snakes—without stuttering. This revelation fostered a deep connection:

  "I would talk fluently to them. I would tell them my hopes and my dreams." ([04:15])

• Promise to Be the Animals' Voice ([05:00]): Inspired by his bond with animals, he vows:

  "If I could ever find my voice, I would try to be their voice." ([05:10])

Academic and Career Journey

Rabinowitz's academic pursuits become intertwined with his passion for wildlife, leading him down a path toward conservation.

• Overcoming Stuttering Through Education ([07:30]): After enduring years of despair and feeling misunderstood, Rabinowitz attends an intensive clinic that provides him with the tools to control his speech mechanically. This breakthrough allows him to speak fluently:

  "In 20 years, I had never been able to voice everything inside of me. Now I could." ([08:45])

• Diverse Academic Interests ([10:00]): Despite excelling academically and athletically, Rabinowitz realizes that his true calling lies not in medicine or labs but in the study of wildlife:

  "Being in the forest alone with the animals was my real world closet." ([14:30])

Conservation Work in Belize

Rabinowitz's professional journey takes a transformative turn when he embarks on a groundbreaking conservation project in Belize.

• Joining Dr. George Schallop ([15:00]): Befriended by a leading wildlife biologist, Rabinowitz is invited to study jaguars in the Belizean jungle—a venture that would define his legacy:

  "I was entering the jungle to catch jaguars, which nobody knew how to, and put radio collars on them and get data that nobody had ever gotten before." ([16:10])

• Challenges Faced ([17:20]): The expedition is fraught with dangers, including a plane crash, a member succumbing to a venomous snake bite, and various diseases. These hardships underscore the perilous nature of field conservation work.

• Realization of Jaguar Extinction Threat ([18:00]): Witnessing the rampant killing of jaguars, Rabinowitz grapples with the urgent need for conservation:

  "They were all being wiped out. Yes, I could sit in that jungle, but then I wouldn't be true to myself." ([18:30])

Encounter with the Jaguar

A profound and symbolic encounter in the jungle mirrors Rabinowitz's internal struggles and resolutions.

• Following the Jaguar's Tracks ([19:00]): While tracking a particularly large male jaguar, Rabinowitz becomes acutely aware of his vulnerability in the wild.

• Face-to-Face with the Jaguar ([19:35]): As dusk approaches, the jaguar confronts Rabinowitz. Instead of fear, he experiences a deep connection:

  "I looked into this jaguar's eyes... what I was seeing was a reflection of the way I was feeling, too." ([19:50])

• Resolution and Assurance ([20:20]): Overcoming instinctual fear, Rabinowitz speaks softly to the jaguar, symbolizing his commitment to being the voice for these majestic creatures:

  "It's okay now. It's all going to be okay." ([20:45])

Reflections and Conclusion

Dr. Rabinowitz's narrative culminates in a reflection on his dual existence between the human world and the animal kingdom, emphasizing his role as a bridge between the two.

• Commitment to Conservation ([21:30]): Realizing that true change requires engaging with human institutions, Rabinowitz champions the establishment of protected areas:

  "The prime minister and the cabinet had voted to set up the world's first and only jaguar preserve." ([22:00])

• Legacy of Silence and Voice ([23:15]): His journey from a silent child to a powerful advocate underscores the transformative power of finding one's voice:

  "The truths of the world, the reality is not defined by the spoken word. In fact, it's not even speakable." ([24:45])

Dr. Alan Rabinowitz's story in The Moth podcast is not just a tale of personal triumph over adversity but also a clarion call for wildlife conservation. His experiences illustrate the profound interconnectedness of human and animal lives and the imperative to protect the voices—both spoken and silent—that resonate within our natural world.

About Dr. Alan Rabinowitz

Dr. Alan Rabinowitz is internationally recognized as a leading expert on big cats and a passionate wildlife conservationist. He serves as the president and CEO of Panthera, a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the world's wild cat species. Often likened to the "Indiana Jones of wildlife conservation" by Time magazine, Rabinowitz's work has been instrumental in establishing protected areas and advancing conservation efforts globally.

This summary captures the essence of Dr. Alan Rabinowitz's compelling story as presented in The Moth podcast episode "Man & Beast," highlighting his journey from a silent childhood to becoming a formidable voice in wildlife conservation.