Frustrating time as zoo director. Probably. I just can’t think of ’em today anymore. Probably if you had asked me 15 years ago, I could’ve told you all of ’em. The good times far outnumber the bad times, so I only remember the good times. We had talked about management… Read More
Would you say that’s how you saw yourself?… Read More
My curators have told me that I was like a bear, 90% teddy bear and 10% grizzly bear. Everybody loved the teddy bear and they were scared to death of the griz. Yeah, I chewed ’em out pretty hard. But I always forgave ’em and they gave me credit for… Read More
Would you say that in any zoo or certainly in your zoo that helps to fill a need and has been a very successful thing?… Read More
Were there major events though that encompassed all zoos, that not only affected your zoo?… Read More
I think the disappearing wilderness areas a threat to the habitat and the plight of endangered species influenced all zoos to become breeding centers from endangered species and conservation centers as opposed to animal collections. That was a phenomenon that went by zoo-wide in the last 10 years probably stronger… Read More
Did you have frustrating times as zoo director?… Read More
The Living World was part of it. When we built the Living World, we put in a painted giraffe, upscale restaurant with fine food, fine dining, salad bar. All kinds of food was never available before and a big gift shop, originally run by the Zoo Friends Association. But now… Read More
During your career, what would you consider to be major events that affected not only your zoo but other zoos?… Read More
Main events. One strong influence where there were some animal rights people concerned about the welfare of animals in zoos. And I think about that time, zoos also were concerned about the welfare of their animals and their collection where they tried to be as humane as possible with the… Read More
We had some inexpensive things, but we went upscale because the philosophy was grandma and grandpa will buy something nice for the grandchildren and so we oughta have something nice. You have the nickel-and-dime things for those people that can’t afford anything else because we’re a free zoo. The poor… Read More
And our public acceptance went along with it. Read More
Was the Living World part of this?… Read More
Go back to your reptiles.” And so that stuck with me. When I became director, I knew I wasn’t a merchandiser. I wasn’t a businessman. And I went to Bob Hyland and I said, “I’d like to bring in a consultant to look at our food service, business operation.” And… Read More
He came in and did a research study and wrote a proposal where he suggested that. We had combination food stands and souvenir stands all in one roof. They had hotdogs, hamburgers, popcorn and cheap chintzy, made in Japan souvenirs. He said, “You should have upgraded apparel, nice things for… Read More
I got a budget. I used Jerry Ward as a consultant. We interviewed people. We brought in a woman who had been a chief merchandiser for one of the St. Louis department stores, put her in charge of merchandise and gift shops. We hired a food service manager who’s trained… Read More
When you first got to the zoo, can you talk about what the zoo had as far as visitor services?… Read More
And then when you were director, how did you want to change that visitor service experience?… Read More
When I came to the zoo, they had souvenir stands that sold whips and spears. The kids were buyin’ ’em for a buck and then they stab at the animals. They’d come to the reptile house. They’d lean over the pits. We had open pits. They’d try to stab the… Read More
I have no control over that.” So I went to see Mr. Sanders in his office. Henry Sanders was the assistant director. And I told him, I said, “You know, these kids have these spears and these whips and they’re teasin’ the animals. And I just don’t think it’s professional… Read More