Blogger Profile: Megan Owen

Megan Owen is a conservation program specialist in the Applied Animal Ecology Division, San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. She oversees conservation and research programs for bear species, including giant pandas and polar bears. Megan is also a doctoral student at the University of California, Los Angeles, studying behavioral ecology. Her research includes how human disturbance, including climate change, impacts the behavior and reproductive success of bears. Megan’s research has emphasized the value of incorporating zoo bears into research programs that support conservation programs in the wild. Conservation outreach is also a main focus of her work, and she is especially passionate about getting kids outdoors. Megan is a member of the IUCN Bear Special Group, Captive Bear Expert Team, the behavior advisor for the Giant Panda Species Survival Program, and serves as an advisory council member for Polar Bears International.