GIVING BACK

by Joanie Schirm

Afriend of many, Dr. Peter Pritchard was the worldleading expert on turtles and tortoises until his death on February 25, 2020. In a 1920s house that served as his Chelonian Research Institute (CRI) in small-town Oviedo, Peter displayed the world’s most extensive collection of related specimens. As a CRI board member, I, like many others worldwide, with great admiration, referred to Peter as the “Turtle God,” an honor like what Jane Goodall represents to the chimpanzee world.

A Brit raised in Ireland, Peter was educated at Oxford University and the University of Florida, earning a PhD in Zoology before spending nearly 40 years in the conservation of turtles and tortoises. At CRI, Peter gave inspiring tours to anyone of any age, free. Remaining humble to the end, this adventuresome man was named a Hero of the Planet by Time magazine and a Central Floridian of the Year by the Orlando Sentinel.

In 2013, my husband and I and a few very close friends accompanied Peter and his wife, Sibille Hart Pritchard, on a Galapagos Islands boat trip. Every evening after observing incredible wildlife, Peter reflected on humorous and meaningful accounts of past adventures there and elsewhere across the world in conservation. His stories revealed that people could change for the better as he detailed, years previously, Galapagos turtles were being overhunted by locals and threatened by illegal fishing. After spending time with Peter listening to his wisdom, the residents went from turtle hunters to protectors. Ecuador set up stringent environmental protection laws, and tourism and their economy grew exponentially.

Sibille, a native of Guyana, has a family tree that includes Portuguese, Chinese, Arawak Indian, East Indian, African, Jewish and Texan ancestors. As we recently reminisced about our magical trip, Sibille shared this meaningful story relevant to our tumultuous times of fractured unity in America and elsewhere in the world.

Peter’s research took him to desolate beaches across the globe where loggerhead or green turtles emerged from the surf. Over many decades, his work protecting sea turtles in Costa Rica transformed the country’s approach to turtle preservation. Beyond his scientific work, Peter also had a keen interest in the peoples he encountered and was especially drawn to young inhabitants who often were experiencing someone beyond their villages for the first time.

In his research, Peter spent many years in desolate areas along the Pacific and Atlantic Costa Rican coasts. Late one afternoon, after scanning the beach for the better part of a day in oppressive heat, Peter realized he’d exhausted his drinking water supply. Beyond being thirsty, Peter felt dizziness and fatigue, early signs of dehydration. Retracing his steps, Peter walked about a mile to where he’d earlier noticed a small hut nestled in the scrub bushes beside the beach, hoping the inhabitants might offer some water. He found only a small Black girl of about five years of age in the hut, and Peter knew he was likely the first white man she’d ever encountered. With no adults nearby as they were likely fishing for food, she peered, unafraid, at him.

Assuming the little girl spoke Spanish, Peter asked in her language if she had any water she could share. Keeping her eyes down, the girl turned away, went over to an open makeshift cupboard shelf, and looked among the cups for a glass one. She filled the special glass with water and presented it to Peter as if he were a prince. Then, she went to the back of the tent and just watched him sip the water down. She never said a word, just observed him with a slow-building smile on her face. Peter thanked her and walked back to his tent on the beach, reminded that kindness is instinctive.

The takeaway? Hate is an emotion that flourishes in the absence of empathy. No one is born with hate. Hatred is a learned process of emerging prejudices. Compassion is instinctive when nurtured from birth. We exhibit acceptance from birth until learning otherwise. Hate spurs on easily taught prejudices. We must never forget; people can unlearn hate.

Sibille & Dr. Peter Pritchard

In honor of Peter Pritchard — a video of appreciation. https://youtu.be/cEPd2T6RO8Y

Author Joanie Holzer Schirm follows Peter’s example to make our world more caring. A community activist and volunteer serving on the Holocaust Museum for Hope & Humanity’s Leadership Council, Joanie knows we rise by lifting others. joanieschirm.com