Senior Veterinarian Emeritus Dr. Mitch Bush performed his first zoo case at Franklin Park Zoo in Boston where he treated an impala with a dangling leg fracture. After graduating from vet school he taught at John Hopkins and did pathology for the Baltimore Zoo. He spent a lot of his… Read More
Director Retired Heini Hediger (1908-1992) was a Swiss biologist noted for his work in animal behavior and is known as the “father of zoo biology”. He served as zoo director of Tierpark Dahlholzli (1938-1943), Zoo Basel (1944-1953) and Zurich Zoo (1954-1973). In 1942 Dr. Hediger developed the science of wild… Read More
Retired General Curator The Bronx Zoo was home to Lee Crandall. He began his zoo career in 1908 at the Bronx Zoo and spend 61 years at the zoo. He rose from keeper to General Curator. Throughout his storied zoo career, he earned many honors and was a corresponding member… Read More
Former General Curator Jim Doherty had a challenging job as General Curator of the world-famous Bronx Zoo. His director was William Conway and he followed in the footsteps of legendary General Curator Lee Crandall. Jim adapted well, involved in the design of over 21 major exhibits and advising governments and… Read More
Dr. Ulysses S. Seal III devoted much of his professional career working to save the biodiversity of animal life and to empower zoos to manage their collections in a more scientific manner. A biochemist by training, working with endangered species conservation became his passion. He was instrumental in founding Species360,… Read More
Retired Registrar For those who had the good fortune to know Marvin Jones, the phrase “one and only” might have been coined especially for him. He was unique among zoo men and women around the world. His interest in animals started as a small boy in the 1930s where he… Read More
Director Emeritus Dr. Farst started his career as a private practitioner but in 1969 took a position as veterinarian at the Columbus Zoo. Soon afterward he was called to do double duty and take on the responsibilities of the mammal curator. Dr. Warren Thomas, director of the Gladys Porter Zoo… Read More
General Curator Emeritus Mike started his long career in the zoo profession as a summer zookeeper at the Lincoln Park Zoo in 1967. Learning his craft, his journey continued when he joined the Mesker Park Zoo in 1971 as a zoologist. He became General Curator at the zoo and at… Read More
Chief Zoological Officer Emeritus Brad Andrews began his professional career in 1972 as an animal keeper at Marineland of the Pacific. He ended his 15-year tenure at the park as General Curator. In 1987 his association with SeaWorld began as Associate Curator. He moved upward in the organization leaving… Read More
Pat Sass started her zoo career in 1961 at Lincoln Park Zoo under director Marlin Perkins. Retirement came in 1998 after 37 years with the animals she loved. During her long career she had many accomplishments. She was one of the original members of the American Association of Zoo Keepers… Read More
Director Emeritus Dr. Lester E. Fisher was hired as Lincoln Park zoo’s first veterinarian in 1947 working under the directorship of the famous Marlin Perkins. Perkins became a friend and the two worked well together. Each respecting the others talents and role. In 1962 Marlin left to go to St. Read More
Curator Emeritus Mark had an early introduction to the Lincoln Park Zoo having grown up across the street and literally visiting it every day as a youngster. His early memory is meeting zoo director Marlin Perkins on the grounds while Mr. Perkins was filming his television show Zoo Parade. He… Read More
Director Emeritus Mark comes from a zoo family. His father Dr. Ted Reed was director of the National Zoo and a leading figure in conservation and zoo medicine. He graduated from Kansas State university in 1972 and received his advanced degree from Texas Tech. Mark’s first zoo job was at… Read More
Former Executive Director Steve started his career as an animal keeper at the Kansas City Zoo (1967–1970). His next opportunity came when he took the position as Assistant Curator of Birds at the Philadelphia Zoo. This position gave him the opportunity for field experience in Ecuador, Argentina and the Falkland… Read More
Director, Retired Frank Thompson ran away from home to join the circus. He began his career working for the circus as a drummer in the orchestra. He enjoyed being around animals and in particular, he found that the training of animals interested him a great deal. He trained bears, horses… Read More
Director Emeritus George Rabb joined Brookfield Zoo in 1956 on a research project commissioned by the Chicago Zoological Society. He worked under Director Robert Bean, son of the first Director of Brookfield Zoo. Since Rabb had no title he gave himself one, curator and coordinator of research. This was a… Read More
Director Emeritus Some folks start work at a zoo but Pat and some friends started the Northwest Florida Zoological Society. It was a dream to have a zoo in Pensacola. Before a zoo could be constructed he took a job as director of the San Francisco Zoo Children’s Zoo under… Read More
Director Emeritus Marlin Perkins was a zoo man. In 1928 he was named curator of reptiles at the St. Louis Zoo. Later his career path took him to the Buffalo Zoo, Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo and finally back to St. Louis where he retired in 1970. While director at… Read More
Director, Retired After graduate school Saul started his zoo career at the Oklahoma City Zoo. It was 1963 and he was hired, by zoo director Dr. Warren Thomas, as Curator of Primates. When Dr. Thomas went to Omaha Zoo in 1966, as director, he offered Saul the position of General… Read More
Director, Retired Dr. Hubble got a part-time job as a keeper at the Columbus Zoo working week-ends, and that’s what solidified his interest in zoo animal medicine. When he graduated in 1959, there was only six full-time veterinarians in the country in zoo work. He began communicating with other zoo… Read More