A zoo director today is with not only a zoo, but practically every cultural institution in my opinion, have comparable skill needs. And that is that you certainly, it helps if you know the collection. In other words, a zoo directors should be a person that relates to the animal world. On the other hand, there are few zoos today that have a business person running the zoo, and they in turn, rely on their technical staff to take care of the animal technical questions. But I think a zoo person today has to be knowing about the collection needs of that facility. A zoo person today has to be able to relate to the community, to get their support. A zoo person today has to have some fiscal awareness if not background, because most places are big time, money places, many multi-million dollars of budgetary area. A zoo directors should be good with people because you’re dealing with, not only the employees, but you’re dealing with the visitors, the public, the various bodies you interact with.
