I think elephants have a place in selected zoos. There certainly is no hesitation to recommend that if a zoo is willing to devote the financial resources, the facilities resources, and the personnel to zoo elephant care, there ought to be open options to do that. It requires cooperation from… Read More
So I’m all for elephants, but I’m also cognizant as it takes a certain mentality on the person that’s caring for them, and the administration’s attitude to elephant care. Read More
Are there any procedures that you would have implemented during your time at the zoo that did not happen, that you would have liked to have happened?… Read More
Well, I would have liked to have had a hospital when I was there, but that’s there now. I can’t really think of anything that I was denied, I think the thing that I would like to have done is do a better job myself under certain episodes or response… Read More
With the move to naturalistic exhibits and keeping animals more natural groups, where possible did veterinary care help or hinder these changes?… Read More
Well, veterinary care of animals in naturalistic big enclosures was hindered because access to the animals. And so in order to correct that, and I’m all for the naturalistic exhibits, but animals, again, there needs to be a place where these animals can be isolated for medical purposes or for… Read More
From the veterinarian’s point of view, what’s your view regarding zoos maintaining elephants?… Read More
Touchy subject, but your honest opinion on the gender issue, if there is one?… Read More
I think there’s definite issue and zoos traditionally have been a good old boys clubs situation. And I’ve had keepers, female keepers come back from a conference where some hot shot elephant person said, “You don’t know anything about elephants, go back and get some dry behind the ears before… Read More
Anybody that spends, “I’m the veterinarian, I’m saving all these animals,” they’re gonna burn out, they can’t keep with it throughout their lives. And I feel sorry for those people because there’s more to life than zoo medicine. Read More
I mean, who should have the final say when it comes to animal welfare?… Read More
I don’t think there is one person in the zoo that should have just a final say. And I’ve seen veterinarians that have been fired from their position because their stance on a welfare issue. I’ve seen other veterinarians that have worked as part of the team being concerned about… Read More
Were there issues that caused you concern during your career in the zoo field and how do you see the future regarding these concerns?… Read More
I think one of the things that caused me concern was the lack of these facilities for isolating animals, for recuperation from disease. And well, I’ve chatted about that a little bit, but it can’t be stressed too much. And I think that speaking for one who experienced it, the… Read More
I think curator must have a sound understanding of the biology of the animals that they’re curating. And they need to also have people skills. And I’ve harped on that throughout this interview with the need for people skills, because each of us have our wants and needs and our… Read More
And this girl came in, “I’m the answer to all your problems, yeah, I’m the answer to your problems.” But she just came in too fast, too strong. I’m reminded that in the military, the captain, the first person that a captain should cultivate in terms of material to do… Read More
Now, is it possible all to define territories and responsibilities to avoid conflict between zoo vets and curators?… Read More
Any advice for the next generation of veterinarians?… Read More
Other than what we’ve chatted about already is go into veterinary zoo medicine as a member of a team, don’t go in with the attitude that all information on the medical aspects of zoo animals is my province, and nobody else should interfere with that. If they have a knowledge… Read More
Well, you mentioned curators, so constant complaint from zoo directors, is there are too few good curators in the zoo community today?… Read More