Irwin Corwin: How did your mom take that tattoo on your arm?
Jeff Corwin: It's not like I showed up on a motorcycle or am living a very edgy life. I think she takes it in stride. I've always been a very experimental person, edgy in the way I look at life. But I have a core, and I'm connected to the nucleus of my experience. Truth be told, I'm actually a lot more boring and regular than my tattoo would lead you to believe. I don't think my mother was surprised to be truthful.

Aloha Gal: First of all, thank you for your dedication in educating us in a positive way, the importance of protecting wildlife all around the world. Are there any chances of doing an episode here in Hawaii? We have many challenges in dealing with protecting our dwindling native species. We sure could use your help in bringing attention to the misfortunes of literally watching a species, becoming extinct.
Jeff Corwin: Unfortunately, I can identify with that. One of the most profound episodes I ever did on wildlife was for a series I did with Disney called "Going Wild with Jeff Corwin." This was about six or seven years ago, and I did a show on the impact on nonnative species on indigenous Hawaiian wildlife. The reality is it's a very sad tale, and in truth it will have a very sad ending. A powerful memory for me is witnessing, filming and telling the story of the last of the male species of honey creeper bird. I know this story well — I've told it, would like to again — but my goal is to tell it in a positive way. Although there is a true, negative powerful conservation story, or lack of conservation in Hawaii, the other side is there are wonderful people living in Hawaii doing their best. Don't' be surprised if I return to tell those stories.

Lion Girl: How do you not get hurt while doing crazy things?
Jeff Corwin: I'm just safe. You have to remember, what you see represents moments that have been truncated from many, many hours of production. One 48 minute episode is built upon two or three months of production. You add the research before we go, field time and the post-production or editorial work. So you're seeing the best moment, the compilation of the editorial process. Safety is always on my mind. I have a daughter, a family and a reputation that is important to me. And I have the animals I work with. All of these things mean a lot to me. My livelihood, my life and my occupation as well as the wonderful creatures I'm working with play a role in how I interpret their stories to the companion watching my show.

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