That was even better than meeting the guys, (laughing) quite honestly. But so that was my first time. So then 50 years later, which would be 2008, I go to Oklahoma City for AZA meeting there. And first of all, of course, a lot of colleagues have passed on or… Read More
But society has changed. The world has changed. That’s the way things are. So I’m not saying it’s good or different. I’m glad, I tell ya. I am so fortunate and so pleased that I was able to be in the zoo profession when I was. Everybody probably thinks this,… Read More
And now it’s just so different. Read More
I’m happy to be retired. (chuckles) If you could go back in time, is there anything, speaking of your directorship, and your tenure, is there anything you would have done differently?… Read More
(Gary laughing) AZA, how would you, what would your generalization be about how AZA today compares with the AAZPA of when you started?… Read More
Well, this is just a personal opinion now, and that doesn’t mean that it’s what I’m saying is that things are better or worse, but as a comparison. And this is a somewhat distant view because I haven’t been to a lot of the conferences with, but I hearken back… Read More
When was that?… Read More
That was in 2008 or 9. That was 50 years from the, 50 years after the first AZA I attended. The first AZA, which was AAZPA that I attended, was when I had been a keeper at Kansas City Zoo and Mr. Cully, I forgot to tell this about Mr. Read More
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