Maddalena Bearzi Discusses the Confessions of a Field Biologist

By: Jenine Garcia

Community Writer

Photo Courtesy of:

Jenine Ly Garcia

Photo Description:

Elise Walters, Taylor Dee, and Tessa Foster, students at the University of Redlands, share their new copies of Maddalena Bearzi's book, Dolphin Confidential: Confessions of a Field Biologist.
The University of Redlands Human-Animals Studies Program and the Museum of Animals and Society partnered up to have their first fall lecture series. The first lecturer of the series was Maddalena Bearzi, Marine Biologist and President of the Ocean Conservation Society, who spoke on Sept. 22. Maddalena Bearzi spoke about how her career started and her most current projects. She explained how she always had a love for animals and nature. She started her career studying animals as a photojournalist in college. She then went on a 6-year research project studying sea turtles in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. This was where Maddalena’s love for dolphins began as she had her first dolphin encounter in Mexico, hence her newest book, Dolphin Confidential: Confessions of a Field Biologist. She discussed how the environment and humans have impacted marine animals in negative ways and how we need to start making a change. Bearzi explained, “For the first time in history, I have seen dolphin populations diminishing because of human impact.” Bearzi’s newest project is working on her non-profit organization called Ocean Conservation Society. She is currently the President and Co-founder of OCS. Bearzi’s different projects with OCS include ongoing dolphin research and educating people of the human damages that are inflicted upon creatures such as dolphins, whales, and another sea mammals.