Director

Zoo directors are responsible for supervising all aspects of zoo management. Areas of focus usually include managing park operations, creating budgets, implementing policies, hiring management staff, sourcing additional funding, and overseeing the development of the facility.

Dr. George Rabb

Photo courtesy of Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo.

Interview | Director

Steve Taylor

With over 40 years of experience in the zoological profession, Steve Taylor was director of the Sacramento Zoo and the Cleveland Zoo. He has visited over 400 institutions, giving him a great resource to draw upon as a leader in the world of animal management. Watch the full Interview

Interview | Director

Dr. David Jones

In his long career as a veterinarian and then director, Dr. David Jones led the London Zoo and the North Carolina Zoo. These positions allowed him to share his knowledge with a wide variety of animal facilities around the world.Watch the full Interview

Interview | Director

Larry Killmar, Ph.D.

Larry’s long career not only includes his time as director at Zoo Tampa, but 38 years in positions with the San Diego Zoo & San Diego Wild Animal Park from 1969-2007. Watch the full Interview

Interview | Director

Bernard Harrison

Bernard has had the unique opportunity to design, develop and manage one of the major world-class zoological gardens. He and his team developed the groundbreaking Night Safari, which was a first of its kind nocturnal animal attraction.Watch the full Interview

Interview | Director

Janice Schweitzer

Jan Schweitzer was associated with one zoo throughout her professional career. Rising through the ranks, she ultimately helped transform the institution, including giving it a new name. In this interview, she provides insights into the all-important role of women in the zoological field. Watch the full Interview

Interview | Director

Barbara Baker D.V.M.

Barbara served as the long time director of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium but honed her skill in the profession as a veterinarian from 1982-1990 at various zoos. Her leadership helped the Pittsburgh Zoo to develop international programs dealing with wildlife.Watch the full Interview

Interview | Director

Palmer “Satch” Krantz

Satch Krantz is unique in the zoo profession. His entire career of over 40 years was spent working at one zoological park. Watch the full Interview

Interview | Director

William “Bill” Boever D.V.M.

Dr. Boever holds the unique distinction of being the first full-time veterinarian for the Saint Louis Zoo. During his many years of service at Saint Louis, he rose through the ranks to ultimately hold the position of Director.Watch the full Interview

Interview | Director

Mark Reed

Mark Reed served as General Curator of the San Antonio Zoo in 1974, then moving to the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas as Assistant Director. In 1991 he assumed the directorship of the Sedgwick County Zoo retiring after 25 years at the helm. Watch the full Interview

In Memoriam

Nov 7, 1936 - Dec 4, 2022

Interview | Director

Walter “Pat” Quinn

Founder of the Gulf Breeze Zoo and the Zoological Association of America, the second largest trade association for zoos in the United States.Watch the full Interview

Interview | Director

Charles H. Hoessle

Charlie’s first experience with exotic animals was not at a zoo but in the pet shop industry. His passion was with the reptiles and in 1963 joined the Saint Louis Zoo as a reptile keeper.Watch the full Interview

In Memoriam

Feb 25, 1941 - Jul 25, 2023

Interview | Director

Don Farst

Dr. Farst started his career as a private practitioner but in 1969 took a position as veterinarian at the Columbus Zoo. Dr. Farst was named Managing Director of the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville Texas four years after his arrival.Watch the full Interview

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

Interview | Director

John “Jack” Frederick Hanna

Jack Hanna served as director of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium from 1978 to 1992 and is viewed as largely responsible for elevating the zoo’s quality and reputation. He currently serves as director emeritus.Watch the full Interview

Interview | Director

Christian R. Schmidt

Dr. Christian Schmidt obtained his Ph.D. on Behavior of a Zoo Group of Collared Peccaries at University of Zurich. He worked under the supervision of the famous Prof. Dr. Heini Hediger, animal psychologist and founder of scientific zoo biology.Watch the full Interview

Interview | Director

Gordon Hubbell

When Dr. Hubble graduated in 1959, there were only six full-time veterinarians in the country in zoo work. He began communicating with other zoo veterinarians around the country, and starting the Zoo Veterinary Association. He moved to Miami and began working for the Crandon Park Zoo as a full-time veterinarian and then director.Watch the full Interview

In Memoriam

Oct 16, 1922 - Oct 18, 2018

Interview | Director

Paul Breese

Paul's WWII experiences fostered his confidence and strengthened his passion to pursue a career of displaying, conserving, and protecting animals in captivity. In 1947 Paul was appointed the first Director of the Honolulu Zoo. He developed the facility's master plan, which defined its boundaries in Waikiki with fences and a single entrance. He also designed and constructed many of the animal enclosures.Watch the full Interview

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

In Memoriam

Jul 15, 1928 - Feb 25, 2016

Interview | Director

Frank M. Thompson

Frank Thompson had a varied and unique insight into the zoo profession. In 1957 he started working at the famous Catskill Game Farm under its owner, Roland Lindermann. Watch the full Interview

Interview | Director

Louis DiSabato

Louis DiSabato starting working at the Columbus Zoo at the age of 15 cleaning bathrooms and parking cars. After serving in the Korean War, he returned to Ohio and was immediately offered a job as mammal curator for the Columbus Zoo.Watch the full Interview

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