What if we lost the cheetah? Laurie Marker at TEDxPortland

With laser focus like a cheetah hunting her prey, Dr. Laurie Marker, has committed her life to one purpose -- saving the fastest animal on the planet. With roots in Winston, OR at the Wildlife Safari, Dr. Marker has trail blazed groundbreaking research to scale in Namibia, South Africa. Portland was treated to a world-class example of conservation strategy, highlighted by a live cheetah on stage.

Dr. Laurie Marker is founder and executive director of the Cheetah Conservation Fund. Having worked with cheetahs since 1974, Dr. Marker set up the not-for-profit Fund in 1990 and moved to Namibia to develop a permanent Conservation Research Centre for the wild cheetah. Dr. Marker also helped develop the U.S. and international captive program, establishing the most successful captive cheetah-breeding program in North America during her 16 years (1974—1988) at Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[JJ]

What an incredible woman!  She has accomplished so much and it's clear that there is nothing she can't do as it relates to the cheetah and saving the wild cheetah.  We need people like this in the world, and we need the cheetah thriving in the wild.  I am saving to go to Namibia to do what I can to help.  I've had the privilege of meeting Dr. Marker several times in my quest to help, and she is simply amazing.  Would that I could be her!

[BDaggett]

Fantastic - Dr. Marker is a true conservation hero. Her story shows that actual positive change can happen!

[jdarrah]

Cheetah is my spirit animal. Thank god for Dr. Marker. 💕💕💕💕💕

[redballoonie]

So inspiring. Thank you Dr. Laurie for your dedication to saving this beautiful creature. I hope someday to get to Namibia to see all that you have done. Your mother keeps me informed as to your diligence.

[thaker]

Beautiful and amazing. What an amazing animal nature has created

[edomichaelvanderzee]

Thanks for your dedication Laurie. I enjoyed your talk. Do please keep it up. Cheers from South Africa Mike van der Zee

[Sultannooo]

We have less than 10, 000 Cheetahs in the world!!! That's sad, I am so interested in them and I would like to help saving the fastest animal in the world.

[ccfitaliaorg]

A great talk for a great project by a great woman! Thank you Laurie Marker!

[Specogecko]

Hybridize subspecies; especially the asiatic cheetah. the key to increasing the genetic diversity is hybridizing the two most genetically distant cheetahs together. sure we may not have a pure subspecies, but that’s better then no cheetah at all

[saraalhareth]

After 10 years of that, where are you now? 😢

[mersparks]

Good talk you old goat (an extraordinary women)