The problem with the Cincinnati Zoo obviously on very small acreage was a challenge, but it also was an opportunity. I remember I was standing in the parking lot and I remember that morning very vividly. We were contemplating a new exhibit, and I was looking up in that parking… Read More
It was to compare two jungle areas. We called it Jungle Trails and it was very effective. And we had some animals sounds piped throughout, and we had a few buildings that you couldn’t, it was a three-story building, if you can imagine, and you didn’t know it was a… Read More
You talked about education?… Read More
What was your vision for the education element of the zoo and how did you start to develop it?… Read More
As you began to change the direction of the zoo, what hindrances occurred and from whom?… Read More
When I began to change the direction of zoo, some of my early problems were from interfering board members, and I had to get that eventually resolved. I had board members that would come out, they had a passion for the zoo, so they would come out and they would… Read More
To what extent did space constraints, indoors or out, hinder your ability to plan improvements?… Read More
In my development of my staff, I, again, relied a great deal on another mentor, Dr. Charles Schroeder from the San Diego Zoo. I became very good friends with Charlie in my early zoo career. And he would often grab me by the shoulder and he would give me some… Read More
And we would review these sheets in our staff meetings, so it kept the staff on their toes. Read More
Bringing professional staff together to further your vision of what the zoo should be?… Read More
In order to bring together a good staff, I think you obviously have, if you’re worth any salt, you have to know people and you have to handle an interview properly. And I would glean a lot from an interview, an awful lot. And then the second measure of a… Read More
The element of surprise. I learned that from my mentor. Marlin was- We had a system at the Lincoln Park Zoo. When the old man, as we used to call him, was on the rounds, every building would phone, the old man’s coming, he’s here. We’d have him targeted all… Read More
I believe that- I don’t believe any zoo director that’s worth his salt can operate the zoo behind a desk. I think it’s got to be, that man has to be out in the field. That again, I learned from Marlin. He was always out in the park and you… Read More
What was your relationship with the staff, the curators and how did you, did it change or how did it develop with their training, their upgrading and working with them?… Read More
I think in our area, in our zoo, the collection has always been the core, it’s our reason for being. It’s the only thing that nobody else can compete with us. I mean, we can have education programs outside the zoo. We could have gardening programs outside, we could have… Read More
How would you describe your style of directing?… Read More
If I were to explain or try to explain my style of management, I believe I was always, I was firm, but fair. I mean, people, I knew what I wanted, and I think whole trick of management is to get the people to follow you. I think if anything,… Read More
What were some of your management strategies?… Read More
Or was there a rank?… Read More
They various programs at the zoo, I think the Cincinnati Zoo is as diversified as its collection. As we went along, we began to build- We did not have when I started great community support, we needed to build on that too. We couldn’t survive without that community support, because… Read More