christopher WHITTIER

I grew up in rural New Hampshire amidst both small family farm animals and wild animals in the surrounding forest where I spent most of my time. I am trained as a biologist, artist, veterinarian, and a wildlife health scientist.  In '01 my career brought me back to Africa to live out my childhood dream of working with wild gorillas.

 

The experiences I shared working with my wife Felicia as field veterinarians for the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (aka 'Gorilla Doctors') gave me an intimate perspective of the daily lives of these magnificent animals and the others that share their forest home.

 

My artwork aims to capture these unique moments, and others from around the globe, in a collection of photographs, and if I can get back to it, paintings.  I hope that these images will raise awareness of the plight of gorillas and other species, garnering support for long-term, sustainable biodiversity conservation.

 

Born in MA, USA, 1968

Raised in South Conway, NH

 

'83-87 Phillips Academy Andover, MA

'87-92 Brown University, RI (BA & BSc)

'93-97 Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Med, MA (DVM)

'97-98 Dixie Trail Animal Clinic, NC

'98-09 NC State Veterinary, NC (PhD)

'99-02 Duke Univ Primate Center, NC

'01-06 Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, Central Africa

'10-14  Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC

'13-     Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts Univ, MA

 

Married to Felicia Nutter, DVM, PhD, DACZM in '00.  

Son Thaddeus born '11.