Whether capturing the crowd with exotic stories from Kenya or hitting the audience hard with the facts about global issues, Jeff Corwin delivered an educational talk with a myriad of exciting tales and informative statistics.

The Issues Committee hosted Corwin Monday night in Cox Auditorium. Most known for his show on Animal Planet, The Jeff Corwin Experience, Corwin works for the conservation of endangered species and threatened ecosystems.

Over the years, Corwin has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and anthropology, a Master of Science degree in wildlife and fisheries conservation, and an honorary doctorate in public education. Through various television series, books and presentations around the world, including an address to the General Assembly of the United Nations, Corwin said his goal is to inform.

Corwin notes a discrepancy between concern for habitat and government funding.

"We have such pressing issues that we aren't funding," Corwin said.

Corwin then shared a variety of stories involving elephants. His first experience with an elephant occurred in South Africa, where one ran toward him in full force. Corwin gave the audience safari advice, noting no one should run from an elephant because people simply cannot outrun one. By standing still, Corwin said he was able to survive the potentially deadly experience.

In Borneo, Corwin reported his camera crew journeyed through the rainforest for about eight hours searching for elephants. During the eighth hour, they realized a herd of elephants had been following them the entire time -- in complete silence.

Although the electrifying story-after-story motif captivated the audience, Corwin worked facts about conservation into his talk. He identified "Charismatic Species Syndrome," his personally coined medical term for people who like "cute" animals. For example, he said most people would rather see a jaguar than a termite. Yet a termite plays a vital role in the ecosystem.

Sometimes irrational fear affects how we view animals: take the leech, for example, he said. When leeches latch onto a host, they emit an anesthesia to prevent pain and an anticoagulant to keep the blood flowing. Leeches are simply trying to survive.

Corwin stated 6,000 species of amphibians exist in the world today, with the potential for 3,000 to become extinct in the next 30 or 40 years. These are the type of statistics Corwin said motivate him to become more involved in conservation.

"I gravitated to conservationion when I realized there were great issues," Corwin said.

Madagascar has lost 90 percent of its natural habitat. In Panama, though, 70 percent of the rainforest remains, Corwin said.

"We need to celebrate these moments where we have succeeded," Corwin said.