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Hometown:
Pierre, S.D.
Years Diving:
10
Favorite Dive
Destination:
Ningaloo Reef,
Western Australia
Why I’m a DAN Member:
Because accidents happen, and
it’s good to know you have that
extra protection just in case.
STEPHANIE ARNE
By Wendy McDowell
S
cubapro Deep Elite Ambassador and Wyland
Foundation Ambassador for the Planet Stephanie Arne
has the distinction of being the first female host of
Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. She considers diving
a big part of how she came to have the job. Arne’s giant
stride into the underwater world took place at Looe Key,
Fla., in 2006 — only one year after she first set eyes on the ocean.
How has diving changed your life and career path?
Diving is a huge part of my life. I love working in the ocean, showing
people amazing marine life and helping them learn how they can
protect it and be more connected to it.
I always knew I wanted to be a wildlife educator, but I didn’t know
exactly where I would find my place. I’ve worked with zookeepers,
animals, conservationists, ecologists, trainers and rescuers and loved
it all. I also loved teaching at the zoo and in the classroom. In diving I
found a perfect opportunity to educate, and I went to work as a dive
guide and whale-shark spotter in Australia.
Doing educational presentations on the boats was different because I
could teach people about wildlife and then say, “OK, now let’s jump in
and go see everything I just told you about.” I’m always thrilled to see
people experience the feeling they inevitably get when the mysteries
of the ocean world are unveiled to them. I just love watching people
reach the surface and say, “I get it — I see what you were talking about
— everything on the reef is connected, and now I understand how it’s
like that on land, too.” [Stephanie breaks into a Disney song:]
I can
show you the world —
I wanted to be people’s Aladdin!
You were in your mid-20s at the time. It was just the beginning
for you.
Yeah! After Australia I went to the Honolulu Zoo Society. Even though
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SPRING 2016
DIVE SLATE
DAN MEMBER PROFILE
Below, clockwise from top left:
Preparing to film
Caribbean reef sharks off Grand Bahama; swimming
with porkfish in Key Largo; entering the water in
Bimini, Bahamas, to film great hammerhead
sharks; diving with manatees in Crystal River, Fla.
Opposite:
Planting corals with the Coral Restoration
Foundation in Key Largo, Fla.
FRAZIER NIVENS
MUTUAL OF OMAHA
MUTUAL OF OMAHA
MUTUAL OF OMAHA