General Curator

A general curator, as the name implies, is responsible for the management of all curators who work in specific areas of a zoo or aquarium. In a smaller zoo or aquarium this position may function to manage all animal groups.

Lincoln Park Zoo Bear Line

Photo courtesy of Chicago Public Library, Chicago Park District Archive.

Interview | General Curator

Douglas Richardson

Douglas Richardson has taken his skill set and works as an independent zoological consultant, advising wildlife facilities around the world.Watch the full Interview

04:26:30

Interview | General Curator

Ken Kawata

An accomplished writer, Ken has contributed numerous articles to zoo-related publications around the world. His lengthy zoo career has involved work both internationally in Japan and the United States.Watch the full Interview

2:20:44

In Memoriam

May 5, 1940 - Jan 31, 2024

Interview | General Curator

Jim Doherty

Jim was the General Curator of the world-famous Bronx Zoo, he designed over 21 major exhibits and advises governments and zoos around the world on captivity management. Watch the full Interview

4:11:32

In Memoriam

Nov 28, 1949 - Aug 8, 2025

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

4:01:12

Interview | General Curator

Brad Andrews

Brad Andrews an animal keeper at Marineland of the Pacific as well as the Chief Zoological Officer responsible for all animal programs in SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Parks. Watch the full Interview

3:54:46

Interview | General Curator

Mike Sulak

Mike Sulak began his career in zoos working in the Farm-In-The-Zoo at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. He soon fell in love with the profession and would go on to be a zoologist at the Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville, Indiana, where he would serve as interim director for a time. In 1979, Sulak was recruited by director Saul Kitchener to be a curator at the San Francisco Zoo and would spend most of his career there.Watch the full Interview

5:11:01

Interview | General Curator

William Xanten

Bill’s roots with the National Zoo run deep. As a young boy interested in reptiles he would visit with National Zoo director William Mann. His dream of working at the zoo came to pass when in 1956 he was hired as an animal keeper.Watch the full Interview

5:18:26

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

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