Our catch phrase is on its way.
Dear Fellow Earthlings,
Back on July 16, 1967 I made a visit to the St. Louis Zoo in St. Louis, Missouri. On that day I had the honor of speaking for a few moments with Marlin Perkins, director of the zoo.
Marlin Perkins had gained fame as one of the hosts of a very popular television series, “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” (which ran from 1963 through 1988).
“Wild Kingdom” was the first successful narrated nature adventure series. Through its well choreographed mix of professional narration and excellent camera work, “Wild Kingdom” set a precedent as it brought ideas of wildlife and its conservation to the people of Earth.
Marlin Perkins inspired me many a time as I watched on TV – and helped foster my love for Nature and our Earth. His words and actions taught me so much about how nice it is to be a nice person. He hosted “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” from 1963 to 1985. Mr. Perkins served as: director of the New York Zoo in Buffalo, N.Y. (1938-1944), the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago (1944-1962) , and the St. Louis Zoo (1964-1970). He passed away at the age of 81 in 1986. The St. Louis Zoo founded the “Marlin Perkins Society” in 1991, dedicated to Perkins’ dream of conserving endangered animal species and nurturing their existence.
When, as a 19-year-old college student in 1967, I approached Marlin Perkins to ask a few questions about the St. Louis Zoo and the animals in it, he was so nice to me, so giving, so pleasant! How nice that I actually have a photo of Mr. Perkins just before he shook hands with me!
Steve Walker Earthsaver and Jingles Creator
© 2013 Steve Walker, The Jingles-The Japan Foundation for English Pronunciation, Summit Enterprises.