Jonathan Balcombe was born in England, raised in New Zealand and Canada, and has lived in the United States since 1987. He studied biology at York University and Carleton University in Canada before earning his doctorate in ethology (animal behavior) from the University of Tennessee, studying communication in bats. He is the author of many scientific papers on animal behavior, humane education, and animal research. A popular speaker, he has given presentations in the USA, UK, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Israel, and mainland Europe. In 2000, the Humane Society Press released his book The Use of Animals in Higher Education: Problems, Alternatives and Recommendations. His second book, Pleasurable Kingdom: Animals and the Nature of Feeling Good (Macmillan), was released in May 2006. Jonathan Balcombe is currently Research Scientist with Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, in Washington, D.C. In his spare time he enjoys bird-watching and nature-watching, biking, and piano.

Recommended sites:

http://www.pleasurablekingdom.com

http://www.pcrm.org

http://www.ethologicalethics.org

http://www.animalsanctuary.org

http://www.primatesinc.com