NYT bestselling author and illustrator. Caldecott honoree. Wildlife enthusiast and conservationist working across Southeast Asia. Son of illustrator David T. Wenzel. Graduate of Pratt Institute.
Greatest inspirations or influences?
- David Attenborough — that guy is amazing.
- Jane Goodall and E.O. Wilson.
- For art: Quentin Blake, Leo Lionni, Alice and Martin Provensen, Ben Shahn, and Sidney Nolan — to name a few.
Favorite project you've done so far?
Last year I collaborated with Fauna and Flora International on a media campaign to raise awareness within Cambodia about the plight of the critically endangered Siamese Crocodile. Besides helping secure that species' future in the region, part of the campaign involved creating a children's book for kids in rural Cambodia. It felt really good to get that out there.
What would be a dream project for you?
Working on a book for children with David Attenborough. Preferably this dream book would include a photo of the two of us shaking hands in front of some sort of really dangerous animal.
Favorite websites or blogs?
My favorite webpage is the site for the IUCN Red List. It's not the most fun site in the world, but it enables you to search the conservation status for any animal on earth. I'm on there about nine times a day, so I guess that'd have to be it.
Tell us about the Vietnam wildlife project you are involved with.
The original images for the Wildlife of Vietnam project were created while I was living in Ho Chi Minh City from 2008 to 2010. The original goal was to draw some attention to the plight of biodiversity in the region. The animals in that part of the world are in some real trouble. The demands of an ever-growing illegal wildlife trade and rapid development have created a perfect storm, and the unique roster of creatures found within the country are being wiped out faster than most would believe. Pretty devastating stuff.
I wanted to create something that would simultaneously speak to both a western and eastern audience, and maybe inspire a few people to learn more about what is unfolding in the region, and think about what we all stand to lose if these creatures disappear.
The images have also helped me connect and collaborate with a lot of like-minded people who are doing fantastic work in conservation in Vietnam, Cambodia, and elsewhere around the world. I have been really grateful to have that opportunity.
If you have a second, please read this article on the poaching of the last Javan Rhinoceros within mainland Asia. The species had been present in the region for about 3 million years, and its final exit went just about unnoticed. Read it here.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Just: please go look at the IUCN Red List once in a while. And pay attention to what's disappearing.
