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Post by Toby Benoit on Jun 7, 2006 14:15:17 GMT 12.75
Alright big fella, You're laid up with that bruised and busted back, so you've got plenty of time to give us a clue. What the hell is a Swiss butcher doing raising a herd of elephants? I didn't even know they could survive in the Alps. Were you training them for labor, circus, dairy? I hear elephant milk is very nutricious,lol. Sorry if I pry, but you've got my curiosity peaked!
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Post by othmar on Jun 7, 2006 17:27:51 GMT 12.75
You're not paying Toby. My professional life is on public record on the INTERNET and printed media. The full story of my professional life can be found on my website under "About Me". I actually have two professions. I learned butcher and then went on to the Master Butcher School because of our family tradition but also because I like it. However, my first choice always has been to work with live animals. First I wanted to be a veterinarian, but after high school I could not bear to go for another six years to school. Besides that it was animal research that attracted me. More precisely I always have been wondering what makes animals "tick". The only way I figured I could do that is if I study zoology and animal behavior. During my study I found that the best way to study animal behavior up close and in real time was when I learned to train animals. This is such a big field that I had to specialize and so I chose tigers and elephants. My animal studies began when I was a small boy. I would study cattle behavior on the farms and chickens in my own backyard. My exam papers I wrote about the behavior and communication of tiger. For 30 years until 2001 I worked as an animal trainer and animal behaviorist. Ever heard of the "horse whisperer"? A good friend of mien and I am are the originators of the gentle way of training animals and the horse whisperer is the guy who took our theory and wrote books about it. I have been very fortunate in that I could travel in many countries all over the world and made myself a very good name in this business. Some would have you believe that I am the best in my field. ;D Throughout these years I stayed close to my butcher heritage. Amongst many other things I designed a livestock holding bay, runway and stunning bay using animal behavior that facilitated less stress to the animals and natural movement. My father had my design built in our family slaughterhouse long before it became popular and now seen in almost all big slaughterhouses. Looking back I was not a good businessman, because I could have made a lot of money if I would have copyrighted my ideas and findings. ;D I have often been asked to write a book about my life with animals and traveling around the world. But writing a book is a daunting task for me. With my limited English knowledge it takes me ages to write an article let alone a book. Since 2001 I work as butcher again but I am still also a animal behavior consultant for a few chosen clients. So I went to China in 2004 to design for a brand new safari park the animal exhibits to make them attractive not only for visitors but also for the animals who have to live in this enclosures. The reason I retired from my animal behavior profession is that, after 30 years nonstop traveling and living out of suitcases I longed to call a place "home". When my wife wanted to go home to look after her aging mother I thought that would be the right time for me too to get settled.
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Post by Toby Benoit on Jun 8, 2006 13:47:38 GMT 12.75
Guess I should have looked at your website, huh?
Thanks for taking the time! What a way to live, gettin' out there and gettin' it done! ;D
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Post by Paws on Jun 8, 2006 14:08:13 GMT 12.75
Fascinating stuff there boys. Did either of you two consider a partnership for a book? I mean we got a doer and a writer on the same page... I hope you boys can pull it off and make a couple million each. I'll talk to Jack Hanna about playing your part Othmar in the movie! ;D
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Post by Brikatw on Jun 8, 2006 16:43:53 GMT 12.75
nah, Stev Irwin ;D ;D
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Post by Bro. Freddie on Jun 9, 2006 6:31:26 GMT 12.75
I thought that too as soon as I read Othmar's post. Why doesn't Othmar tell his story to Toby and Toby be the ghost writter?
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Post by Rich on Jun 9, 2006 15:56:42 GMT 12.75
Boy, great minds must think alike. I had the very same thought when I read that.
Rich
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Post by othmar on Jun 10, 2006 15:25:05 GMT 12.75
Well that would mean that Toby and I would have to spend sometime together fishing and hunting so I can tell him my story and he can take notes. ;D Not a bad idea to spend hunting and fishing togehter. ;D
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Post by Toby Benoit on Jun 11, 2006 5:44:19 GMT 12.75
I'm definitely on for the hunting and fishing thing!!! Writing, though I'd love to pursue that someday with you, is on the back burner. I'm swamped with book proposals and am completing two novels and a screenplay now. "THE ELEPHANT WHISPERER", think we could get Mel Gibson for the lead?
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Post by Mars on Jun 11, 2006 14:56:01 GMT 12.75
Mel Gibson as the elephant? ;D
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