But there were maybe 40 or 50 people there. And they were the prominent zoo directors of the time or up and coming. There’s only three, of that meeting, there’s only three still alive today. One is Bill Conway, sort of first met Bill Conway. And the other is Ted… Read More
Now I want you to visualize that you’re in Africa on safari. And if it’s not dark enough, then close your eyes, and you’re snuggled up in your tent in the middle of the night, and here’s what you hear. And then I played the, woo, whoop! Woo, whoop, woo,… Read More
And they said, oh, that story’s gone all over the building. Read More
And so I was involved at some of the capital campaign committee meetings and they decided to approach security benefit association here in town. It’s kind of a financial slash insurance type company, but their headquarters are here. So that was good. And I think we were asking for $150,000. Read More
And I have a bronze cast of a hyena track. And I have a recording of hyenas hooping in addition to the laugh everybody hears. They also who woo, whoop, woo, whoop! Which is great, one of the greatest African animal sounds. And hyenas have the most powerful jaws of… Read More
So I took all these things along and we met in just a wonderful new facility they have, really elaborate building, and we met in the boardroom. And here’s the committee and the board term or thing. And so my part of the presentation is to explain about hyenas and… Read More
So I said, “Well, folks, if you don’t mind, can we close these blinds?” And we did, and now can we turn the lights off?… Read More
And they associate with that animal. I think zoos and AZA are making great strides in improving the accepted standards for facilities and management of elephants. I would like to see that continue, but all animals in zoos, no matter how naturalistic you make the exhibit look to the visitor,… Read More
So it’s the animals accepting the close proximity of people in some capacity both in the wild and in the zoo. I think the important thing with elephants in zoos is the daily management routine. Animals like routine and how these animals are managed. You’re never gonna convince a lot… Read More
So do you still have contact with the Topeka Zoo?… Read More
Well, earlier we were discussing my relationship with the zoo. As I said, once I left in 1989, I vowed not to look over my shoulder and I haven’t. But a couple of years ago, the Friends of the Zoo who went through somewhat of a resurgence and became stronger… Read More
Be more of a focal point in that community as a meeting place, as a gathering place, as a leader in recycling, which a lot of zoos are doing, but let the zoo be the leader in recycling. And even in a book fair, have a book fair at the… Read More
You mentioned that at one time, someone came to you and said, “We’d like to give you an elephant.” What is your view regarding the topic now of zoos maintaining the elephants in their collections?… Read More
Elephants and zoos has become a very emotional situation. Elephants may be, elephants as a species may be the single most recognizable symbol of the animal kingdom in the wild or in zoos. Elephants in the wild though are anonymous, distant, most people, unless you have a chance to go… Read More
Going back to the national organization, what issues would you like to see AZA addressing now?… Read More
What issues would I like to see AZA addressing now?… Read More
One of the things, I guess, is important these days is a national organizations presence in Washington, and they seem to be doing that, from what I can tell, pretty well. I would like to see the AZA address what zoos are and what zoos can do beyond the well-defined… Read More
How can zoos, in any community of any size, play a stronger role in that community?… Read More
I would always try to bring back something for my park commissioner (Gary chuckling) from Africa that he could hang in his office. (chuckles) How do zoos reach teenagers to heighten their awareness, their zeal about the natural world?… Read More
How do zoos reach teenagers to heighten their awareness and zeal?… Read More