Bear Grottos, Brookfield Zoo, 1934

Photo courtesy of Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo

Curator

Zoos & Aquariums typically employ numbers of curators whose role it is to acquire, care for and develop a specific part of the animal collection. They will also arrange exhibits, initiate loans, manage the animal keepers and interpret the collection in order to inform, educate and inspire the public.

Interview | Curator

Elizabeth “Bess” Frank

During her zoo career Bess dealt with a wide variety of animals, from elephants to giant pandas. She brings both a zoologists experience as well as that of a historian to her knowledge of the zoo profession. Watch the full Interview

03:50:07

Interview | Curator

Mark Rosenthal

Marks zoo career started at Lincoln Park Children’s Zoo in 1967, continuing as an animal keeper then zoologist. In 1975 he became Curator of Mammals. In 2003 he retired as Curator of Large Mammals. He is also the author of "Ark in the Park", the History of Lincoln Park Zoo.Watch the full Interview

4:01:47

In Memoriam

Nov 15, 1943 - Mar 11, 2021

Interview | Director

Stephen Wylie

Steve was passionate about his zoo career, conservation, international travels, birding, hunting and fishing. He was Director of the Oklahoma City Zoo from 1985 until his retirement in 2000. During his 15 year tenure at the Oklahoma City Zoo, Steve was a builder. He dramatically increased community support and created numerous major renovations, upgrades and new exhibits.Watch the full Interview

4:48:42

In Memoriam

Jan 1, 1938 - Feb 7, 2015

Interview | Director

Saul Kitchener

Saul started his zoo career in 1963 as the Curator of Primates at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Positions followed in 1966 as General Curator, at the Henry Doorly Zoo and in 1968 as General Curator at Lincoln Park Zoo later becoming the Assistant Director. He retired as the director of the San Francisco Zoo in 1988. Watch the full Interview

4:45:45

In Memoriam

Mar 28, 1905 - Jun 14, 1986

Interview | Director

Marlin Perkins

Perkins was the host of Zoo Parade, a television program that originated from the Lincoln Park Zoo on NBC station WNBQ-TV (now WMAQ-TV) when he was the director there. As a result of his work on Zoo Parade Perkins was offered the job in 1963 for which most North Americans remember him: host of the nature show Wild Kingdom.Watch the full Interview

1:44:34

View all of our Interviews