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
I don’t know. This is a very unscientific general observation, but it seems like that when children get to be teenagers, they don’t want to go to the zoo with their folks anymore. They would rather not be seen with their parents at the zoo. But one of the things… Read More
Those are all things, but having your education animals that can be handled, you get the, even teenagers, when they get to handle some of the animals, that really turns ’em on. And I think that’s an important thing. Read More
Yes, I think safaris can play a role. A lot of zoos sponsor safaris, photo safaris. And I think that’s a very positive thing. It does illicit contributions and more support and so on, but to get decision-makers involved, what I have found, and I’ve been able to do this. Read More
That’s a delightful thing. Plus if you take three generations, the Africans love that. They love extended families and they really make a big deal out of that. Once again, children are a great influence. If a politician takes his family or his children and grandchildren, and they have a… Read More
And you could get sponsorships for a lot of them. And document this, make a documentary out of this, which spreads the gospel, in that regard. So I think safaris can play and have played a very strong role in this regard. I’ve had people who had been members of… Read More
I recognize even more now the importance of a zoo than I did before I went on a safari. And that has been a positive thing. Read More
And why wasn’t the turkeys chosen as the national bird for United States, and things of that type. There’s all kinds of tie-ins. You’re in a unique position, you have your zoo hat, your zoo hat, and your safari hat. Read More