Brian Keating

Brian's previous job at the Calgary Zoo was to raise money and then to spend it on environmental projects around the world. Presently, he's the Zoo's Honourary Conservation Advisor to their outreach efforts, and a part time Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Calgary.

He's been leading groups on nature based travel for three decades, exploring some of the best wildlife areas on the Planet. He's a weekly guest on both Calgary and Edmonton's CBC Radio, and for many years, was a regular on the Discovery Channel, using his own wilderness adventure and wildlife filming. He's in high demand as an international speaker, presenting at some 50 events a year to audiences that range from business executives to schoolchildren to major international conferences to small private gatherings. Keating's buoyant, fast-paced and humorous presentations are uplifting and meaningful, and have proven themselves the highlight of many conferences and programs.

Brian's a pilot, a naturalist, scuba diver, mountaineer, and an author of five children's books celebrating nature. He's an honourary chief of a West African village which supports a hippo sanctuary. Brian has been presented with the distinguished "Canadian Hero of the Year" award from Reader's Digest, an Honourary Doctor of Science degree from Brandon University (2009) and an Honourary Doctor of Laws from the University of Calgary (2011). All three accolades were presented in recognition of his global environmental efforts. His latest documentary, Going Wild in Madagascar, recently aired world-wide on Discovery HD-TV. His wife, Dee, is a physician and keen naturalist who always joins him on his adventures.

• R. Places to See Before you Die

  Brian Keating and his wife, Dee, have been explored some 50 countries on all 7 continents during the previous three decades. His journeys have taking them into some of the best wildlife locations on the planet.
  
  Using a series of his own professionally edited video clips, Brian will live-narrate some of the options of modern travel opportunities, taking you on a surprising journey into the heart of some of his most memorable life experiences.
  
  During this presentation, you'll travel on foot, kayak and canoe, on small aircraft, and by motorboat into the heart of Africa, South America, Asia, the Polar regions, and finally, into one of the best remote diving locations in the world. It's an adventure into unbelievable abundance, diversity and beauty.
  
  Brian will present all of this with his usual high energy, buoyant, fun and informative style, punctuated with personal anecdotes and humour.

• Q. Animal Talk

  Getting bogged down by voice mail, email, Facebook, twitter and faxes? Office pressures mounting with increased demands and so-called clinical efficiencies, meetings, deadlines and flavor-of-the-month business practices? And on top of all this, are family, friends and life-long partners tightening up the home-front screws?
  
  Waite a minute! Here we are representing the top primate with the biggest brain-to-body-weight ratio of all the animal kingdom, and our whole world appears to be spinning out of control. 
  
  How did we get here anyway?
  
  Brian Keating is going to attempt to provide some insight into this question. Using some remarkable video segments filmed in some of the worlds most remote locations, live narrated with a style that only Brian can manage, he'll take you into a world you never expected, illustrating how the animal world makes communication all appear so easy.
  The way it should be.
  
  He can't help you un-complicate your communication woes, but his method of weaving humour and wonder of natural communication may make it all a bit easier to swallow.

• P. It's that Old Cat-Dog Thing

  Brian Keating and his wife, Dee, have travelled deep into the wilds of 17 African countries on nearly 50 safaris over the past quarter century. Encounters with the big cats have been a major focus of their travels, including leopard, lion and cheetah. Their keen cat interests have also taken them into the high mountains of the Himalaya, in search of the elusive Snow Leopard where Brian will take you on a rare journey seldom witnessed. Of course, one cannot talk about cats without a mention of dogs, and with that in mind, Brian will begin with a short but powerful introduction to the Wild Dogs of Africa.
  
  Brian's stunning professional photography will be featured throughout the presentation (his work has been frequently featured on the Discovery Channel).
  
  Using his well-known style of live-narrated video, he promises to show you some wild cat behaviour that is guaranteed to both intrigue and inspire, shedding new light on one of nature's most perfect designs.

• O. Polar Possibilities: Adventures in Paradise

  The Arctic is on many peoples minds these days: it's hot politically; it's hot physically (or at least it’s warming), it's hot militarily; and because of all this, it's hot psychologically.  Or at least it should be: our Canadian High Arctic backyard is 33% of who we are!
  
  Nearly 30 years ago, Brian Keating spent four months living in the high Arctic, hiking hundreds of kilometers, often encountering wolfs, fox, musk ox, caribou and hares. He dreamed then of hiking through the only glacier-free pass amongst a dramatic mountain range that stood shimmering to the east.  In July of 2002, that dream came true, and since then, he has completed four additional expeditions in the high Arctic. 
  
  With this program, Brian will present segments of these adventures with his own unique method of live-narrating his video edits, hiking through breathtaking landscapes of icy cold rivers, glaciers bulging from nearly every side valley, amongst the carpets of brilliant Arctic-alpine flowers, encountering beluga whales, musk ox, caribou and polar bears.
  
  This is a celebration of our own Canadian Arctic wildlife and the landscapes they live in, a celebration of one of the planets last great wilderness areas.

• N. Madagascar Magic

  Brian Keating has been traveling the wilds of the world for over a quarter of a century, exploring some 50 countries on all 7 continents. His passion for remote travel will be revealed as only Brian can do, with his buoyant method of storytelling. Punctuated throughout with humour and personal anecdotes, he'll illustrate his presentation with his own live-narrated video segments.
  
  With this, his newest program, he promises a journey into the wilds of Madagascar in search of primitive primates found only on this remote island, "spirits of the forests", the lemurs.
  
  Last year, Brian spent a month in Madagascar, searching the forest trails both day and night to discover some unique creatures. In addition to 18 species of lemur that he found, he also encountered the bizarre leaf-tailed gecko, outrageously coloured chameleons, and endemic exotic birds.
  
  His presentation is designed to inspire and enthuse, offering hope for a better tomorrow.

• D. Searching for The Mountain Gorilla

  A photographic journey into the wilds of Rwanda and Zaire of find and observe wild gorillas. The program then takes us to Tanzania to contrast the lives of wild chimpanzees to the gorillas. At the invitation of Jane Goodall, my wife and I spent a week following the chimps she has made so famous. A very buoyant and sometimes humorous story that takes place in a fascinating part of tropical Africa.

• C. Three Women - Three Animals

  In this program, I look at three species of African animals (gorillas, chimpanzees, and elephants) and the three women researchers (Fossey, Goodall, and Moss) who have spent decades in the forest and savannas observing these remarkable animals. These women share a behavioural trait: their tolerance. They have all endured prolonged periods in difficult, remote and rugged conditions. I'll examine their research animals and touch upon the researchers themselves, and look at sometimes surprisingly different observational conclusions they have made compared to their male research counterpart.

• B. Islands of Time

  During this visual journey, Keating will lead us through some remote islands, especially large tropical islands, exploring the home of some of the planet's most beautiful yet strangest life forms. From tiny intensely coloured poisonous frogs to birds with impossible plumage and howling primitive primates that are capable of ricocheting from branch to branch, this is a story of wildlife discovery that takes place in the most remote forests, rivers and mountains of Papua New Guinea, Borneo, Madagascar, the Galapagos and other less known island landscapes. The adventure is a showcase of ecological fragility that reaches all Canadians.
  
  This program is the perfect winter escape for Canadians!

• A. Secret Springs

  Another all time favourite, this is the video I produced that caught the attention of The Discovery Channel, who featured segments of it on three special national television nature programs. 60 kilometres from the nearest permanent water, a cool clear spring bubbles up from the ground throughout the dry season, creating a life-giving water source for thousands of mammals and millions of birds. For a week each time on four separate expeditions, my wife and I sat like flies on the wall, watching the wild Africa unfold. This is a remarkable story of the raw struggle of life.

• M. A Little Sex, a Little Adventure, and a Bit of Passion

  Please excuse the title, but it's all true. This is a fascinating look at the inner workings of the Calgary Zoo that make working there one remarkable experience. Brian Keating will take you on an adventure that only he can tell, because he was there, watching and filming, right in the thick of things. By persistence, good planning and plain old dumb luck, Keating happened upon more than you'll bargain for during this sometimes humorous, often profound, and highly personal presentation.

• L. Flying Frogs in the Heart of Borneo

  Flying frogs, gliding lizards and monkeys with a banana-like nose? Brian Keating and his wife, Dee, traveled for a month deep into the heart of Borneo searching for a wild time. And they weren't disappointed. Brian will put you face to face with rare forest elephants, some remarkable insects, impossible proboscis monkeys, and the incredible people who share the forests with these unique creatures.

• K. Cold Leadership

  Brian Keating is an adventurer, world traveler, and leader of some 60 expeditions to remote locations world-wide. He returned earlier this year from his twelfth voyage to the Antarctic, this time repeating a month-long expedition retracing much of Shackleton's route. 
  
  Early last century, one of the most remarkable stories of risk taking and survival was played out in the remote frozen seascapes of the Antarctic. Shackleton was an extraordinary leader, and he somehow managed to beat all possible odds during a two-year struggle with survival. 
  
  What lessons can Shackleton teach us about life and leadership? How could his ice-bound situation of courage and endurance give us insights into the possibilities for our own future?
  
  Brian plans on taking you on a voyage through one of the most astounding wilderness survival adventures of all time, illustrating the brilliant leadership qualities that enabled Shackleton to return home without the single loss of life. He'll then take you into the icy waters of the Antarctic using his informative method of live-narrated video, to witness the life-abundance of sea birds, seals, whales and penguins, exploring this hauntingly beautiful icescape.

• J. Life in the Hot Zone

  Volcanoes tend to be hotbeds of interesting life forms, in more ways than one would think! Join Brian Keating as he and his wife Dee ascend several volcanic landscapes around the world, examining the strange life forms that somehow have managed to live there, despite the harsh conditions. You'll stand on the summits of Mona Loa, Mt. Egmont and Kilimanjaro, and descend into the boiling caldera lake of Dominica and traverse the reptilian lavas flows of the Galapagos. Much of the filming Brian managed on these expeditions have been used on his "Discovery TV" program segments, but tonight's live-narrated video and slides are fresh off the mountains! You'll never look at a volcano the same again!

• I. Climbing Kilimanjaro

  A few years ago my wife and I not only summitted Kilimanjaro (via a seldom climbed route), but we ended up traversing it too! Some of the video footage I managed on the trip has been used in two of my "Discovery TV" program segments, but this video edit is the "entire" story, fresh off the mountain! I'll first illustrate some other volcanic classic ascents using slides, then we'll cap off the evening with the Kilimanjaro climb video presentation, live-narrated, that will leave the group with an entirely new outlook on high adventure and travel opportunities.

• H. Penguins in Paradise

  Brian Keating returned earlier this year from his sixth expedition to one of the largest wilderness landscapes on the planet: the Antarctic. He'll begin this presentation with a brief account of the most astounding Antarctic adventures of all time, that of the remarkable leadership and survival story of polar explorer, Ernest Shackleton, early last century. After a brief comparison to our own Canadian Arctic, he'll introduce you to the potential violence of the Southern Ocean, then you'll float on calm waters into an icy wilderness of life-abundance: sea birds, seals, whales and penguins. Using his informative and sometimes humours method of live-narrated video, you'll feel as though you are part of the expedition, exploring this hauntingly beautiful icescape.

• G. The Wild Elephants of Africa

  Since 1983 Brian Keating and his wife, Dee, have led yearly safari excursions into eleven different African countries, allowing them to accumulate over three years of outback experiences, min big game country. The exploration of the African bush has quite literally become a passion for both. Together they have logged hundreds of hours tracking, locating and observing elephant. During this presentation, Brian will make some comparisons to our own behaviours that will both surprise and captivate you. These big-brained, intelligent creatures live complex, social lives, and share some astounding similarities to our own behaviours. From the deserts of Namibia, the rainforests of Rwanda and to the grasslands of Tanzania, Brian will take you on a remarkable journey, a story enhanced with a blend of anecdotes and personal experiences told in a humorous style as only Brian can.

• F. Alpine Highlife

  Feeling a little overwhelmed with your everyday demands at work and at home? Is the new technology leaving you breathless? Our technological explosion is pushing us to work faster, harder, more efficiently, and all with less people and support in our work environment. And on all of this, there's your family needs too! What should we do to enable all of us to lead a healthier, better balanced life?
  
  Leave town. That's right, get out...!
  
  Brian uses the mountains as a metaphor to creatively illustrate some of life's exciting options and possibilities. It's a story that passionately illustrates the pure joy of life in high places, illustrating with a buoyant pace, the importance of taking time out for number one... you!
  
  This is a buoyant and humorous program with a solid ecological message that encourages people to get the most out of life and life's possibilities.

• E. Going Wild

  A spirit-lifting journey into some of the planets best wilderness locations.
  
  Brian Keating has been traveling the wilds of the world for over a quarter of a century, exploring some 50 countries on all 7 continents. His passion for remote travel will be revealed as only Brian can do, with his buoyant method of story-telling. Punctuated throughout with humour and personal anecdotes, he'll illustrate his presentation with his own live-narrated video segments.
  
  He promises a journey to deserts near and far, into rich polar regions with unbelievable creatures, to mountain summits and rich tropical forests, and to places where wildlife numbers leave one overwhelmed with satisfaction. And finally, he'll return to our own Canadian backyard of tundra and mountain, reconfirming the value of our collective understanding of the importance of wild spaces.
  
  His presentation is designed to inspire and enthuse, offering hope for a better tomorrow.

• The image of the Chamber has always been 'stuffy' over the decades and we wanted to show a fun side. I think your presentation hit the spot.
  Chamber of Commerce, Calgary
• You are truly irrepressible and a marvellous spokesman for nature.
  Heritage Community Foundation, Edmonton
• The inspiration to go hiking and climbing is overwhelming. Thank you for showing our school the beauty, majesty and fragility of our own backyard.
  Simon Fraser Staff & Students
• Your wonderful presentation was a fantastic way to conclude a very successful conference...you were an integral part of an informative and entertaining conference.
  Association of California School Administrators
• You have a gift Brian, of being able to transport people to amazing places in the world, by connecting people's hearts and minds to your presentation.
  Red Deer Catholic School
• The audience was spellbound. Brian Keating's talk was highly entertaining, funny, and memorable --- education at its best.
  Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area
• As with all of your presentations that I have been able to attend, this one was equally if not more inspirational and very motivational. You add so much enthusiasm, motivation and life to all your presentations
  Animal Resource Centre, University of Calgary
• I have had so many clients call to rave about you and your presentation. Thanks so much for making our evening one to remember by all who came.
  Portfolio Strategies Corporation
• Your emphasis on the individual personality of animals (walrus and beaver) really got the groups attention. It was extremely well done. What an irony that you travel the whole world, yet have such a significant experience on an island in the river in your own backyard! Several people commented upon what a great choice you were for a guest speaker. Many marveled at your enthusiasm and energy, which was infectious.
  Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
• The response to your talk, both content and presentation, has been overwhelming, and all of it glowingly positive. The time you took to gear your talk to the audience was a wonderful touch, and really added that extra mile. We would love to have you again at one of our events, and I am personally very much looking forward to that day.
  Calgary Real Estate Board
• Brian your talk was fantastically inspiring and I cannot thank you enough. Having you kick off the show could not have worked out better. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  Collingwood School, Vancouver
• All I can say is that your presentation was the run away highlight of the day for many, many of our staff---as I knew it would be.
  Health Canada
• It was truly amazing to have you with us. Your presentation was outstanding. This was just what our audience needed after a very long day of technical presentations. Your presentation was praised to us by a large number people in the audience. We could not agree more with their assessment.
  The Arctic Institute of Canada
• While perhaps not on the scale of the Beatles, I can tell you that you've got a smash hit on your hands. Attendees at last week's PM Conference loved your presentation. Many commented on the connections to our work here at Shell. Others enjoyed it as a pure diversion and well-narrated travelogue to places they'd never seen.
  Shell Canada Limited
• Every year you WOW every one of us. I only wish that finances got them anywhere near as excited.
  National Bank Financial

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  March 2008

  Amazing Animal Adventures in Forests

  Join Brian Keating, Canada's foremost animal adventurer, as he explores the world's forests from the bottom up. With stories from Canada's boreal, larch, West Coast, and aspen forests, along with America's east coast; Costa Rica; Australia; Kenya; and Tanzania, Amazing Animal Adventures in Forests takes readers on a guided journey into the woods. Describing the trees of each forest, their importance to local ecology, and the animals that make their homes in them, Keating sweeps his readers up under his wing, simultaneously passing along his passion for the world's wildlife and making a case for forest conservation.

  
  
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  June 2006

  Amazing Animal Adventures in Rivers

  Amazing Animal Adventures in Rivers is the fourth of eight books incredible volumes in the ground-breaking Going Wild series, written for children to encourage them to explore the natural world around them.  Brian Keating's high-energy enthusiasm for the wonders of nature is contagious, inspiring children and adults alike to discover, through his eyes, how rivers and the riparian areas around them are ribbons of wilderness inhabited by the most amazing animals and plants. Keating grew up fascinated by rivers, those in his own back yard and ones farther afield.

  
  
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  October 2005

  Amazing Animal Adventures in the Desert

  Narrated by the Calgary Zoo's world-renowned nature devotee and conservationist Brian Keating, nine wonderful true tales of incredible desert wildlife adaptations and inconceivable feats of desert survival unfold on the pages of this book.  Amazing Animal Adventures in the Desert is the third of eight exciting volumes in the groundbreaking Going Wild series, written for children to encourage them to explore the natural world around them.

  
  
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  April 2005

  Amazing Animal Adventures at the Poles: Going Wild

  The second of eight books in the Fifth House Going Wild children's nonfiction adventure series, Amazing Animal Adventures at the Poles presents world-famous naturalist Brian Keating's amazing-but-true firsthand accounts of his travels in the world's remote polar regions. Seemingly devoid at first glance of all but the most basic of flora and fauna, the Arctic and Antarctic lands and waters are actually full of exciting natural wonders and fascinating creatures that must be seen to be believed!

  
  
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  October 2004

  Amazing Animal Adventures Around the World

  Shortlisted for the 2005 Silver Birch Awards - this book is an inspiration for young animal lovers as they cultivate their excitement for the animal world.