November 2004: Washington, D.C. based organization, Defenders of Wildlife hosted their fifth biennial carnivore conservation conference in beautiful and historic Santa Fe, New Mexico. Defenders fulfilled the promises of a great conference, bringing together academics, activists, and wildlife professionals to discuss a wide array of issues involved in carnivore conservation.  Conference attendees were treated to 4 days of sessions on terrestrial and marine carnivore issues, plus a poster session, field trip, silent auction, banquet, ambassador wolf sessions and many social gatherings. The week provided scientists, researchers, conservationists and naturalists from all over North America the opportunity to learn what is happening in regards to animal conservation efforts.

 

Held at the spectacular La Fonda Hotel, in the heart of Santa Fe, the conference also allowed attendees to meet new friends and re-acquaint themselves with old ones. On Sunday the 14th, a field trip to Bandalier National Monument was, as usual, one of the highlights of the conference. This monument has made an effort to preserve the mud and cliff dwellings of the Anasazi, who once lived in the valleys and canyons there.

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