AKANE HATAI
Creative Director
Akane Hatai is passionate about wildlife conservation, environmental education and storytelling, with a particular love for Madagascar and its extraordinary wildlife, forests and communities. Her recent experience in La Mananara, where she had the opportunity to work alongside students, researchers and local communities and see first-hand the work being undertaken by Wildlife Madagascar, strengthened her passion for conservation and her desire to contribute to this important work. Seeing her first critically endangered sifaka in the wild was one of the most memorable moments of her life. Akane hopes to visit more of Wildlife Madagascar’s field sites in the future, immersing herself further in the conservation, research and community work being carried out across Madagascar.
Akane brings extensive experience in wildlife education, communications and creative storytelling. During her 14-year tenure at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, she worked across education and communications, developing a deep appreciation for biodiversity and the importance of connecting people with the natural world.
Alongside her conservation interests, Akane works across education, communications and creative projects, taking on seasonal and project-based roles with international students and organisations including PetRescue and Baseball Queensland. She enjoys the diversity these opportunities bring, working with people from different backgrounds and communities while drawing on her skills in education, digital media, photography, design and storytelling to share knowledge, build connections and inspire positive change.
Through Wildlife Madagascar, Akane hopes to combine her skills and experience with her passion for wildlife and conservation, helping share the stories of Madagascar’s people, wildlife and landscapes and inspiring greater understanding, connection and action for the natural world.
Q&A WITH AKANE HATAI
What draws you to support wildlife conservation and education?
Ever since I was little, I’ve been captivated by the wonders of nature, particularly the fascinating world of animals! During my university years, I started working at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Australia, on the food and beverage team, then moved into marketing, and eventually found my place on the Wildlife Education Team. There, I fell in love with all things Lone Pine. With a graduate diploma in education, I merged my passion and skills into a dream job of educating by communicating to a wider audience through visual storytelling on various platforms. Lone Pine later became part of the International Zoo Educators Association (IZEA), where I became even more passionate about wildlife conservation and eager to contribute in any way I could. Joining Wildlife Madagascar reminded me of the power of education and how knowledge and understanding can truly change people’s actions for the better.
Who or what inspires you?
Ok, this sounds like a copout but HONESTLY, my biggest inspiration is Debra Erickson. Since we met at the IZE Conference in 2012, she’s motivated me to be the best I can be. I was new to the wildlife education field, and she believed in me from the start, inviting me to join the IZE Board as the website editor. Together, we launched the Job Experience Program, and my visit to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance taught me a lot, igniting my passion for continuous learning. Debra has consistently been there for me, offering advice and the confidence needed to move forward in life. I thank her for always believing in me.
Share with us a book or film that has had an impact on you.
Ooh I have a few! First, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, though a bit cliché, is always a great reminder to persevere on my personal journey, and that my ultimate goal always resides within myself. Next, Little Princes by Conor Grennan, a powerful story about reuniting lost children in Nepal. I was so inspired that one person could make such a huge difference to so many lives. Finally, the film Bleed for This stands out. A true story of a boxer who, after a life-altering accident, defies the odds to return to the ring. Plus, it featured my favorite actor, Miles Teller!
What is one of the most memorable experiences in your career?
I’ve been fortunate to have many remarkable experiences in my career so far. From educating high-profile celebrities about the importance of wildlife conservation to conditioning education animals to showcase their amazing natural abilities; and even having a koala named after me! The journey has been extraordinary. One vivid memory is when I received the news that I’d be heading to my first IZE Conference in Chester, UK. The conference itself was a revelation, igniting the spark that kick-started my career in wildlife conservation. However, I am anticipating that the day I get to visit our field site in Madagascar will end up being THE COOLEST experience of my career!
What about graphic design do you find most rewarding?
I love creating visual stories, believing that images often speak louder than words. There’s a unique power in crafting images and videos that can communicate messages and stories with incredible impact. Nothing beats a cute lemur looking straight at you!
What do you love about Madagascar and its wildlife?
Honestly, before my involvement with Wildlife Madagascar, I knew very little about the country, except for what I’d seen in movies. However, as I received stunning images for our website, I was awestruck by the astonishing natural beauty of Madagascar and the truly unique and magnificent creatures that inhabit it. This made me realize how fortunate I am to play a small part in the vital conservation efforts for this remarkable place. I envision that my passion will continue to grow as I learn more and more about Madagascar.