The in situ conservation is becoming more and more important, but I’m here very critical in several views. The first point is I think it’s very, very important that first the zoo itself is becoming a first-class institution with proper exhibits for the animals. And before this is reached, I… Read More
For example, Zurich Zoo, which is a medium size to large zoo, constructed their masoala hole and linked a conservation program for masoala in northeastern Madagascar but they didn’t start their own program. But they joined Wildlife Conservation Society, who have had a program in masoala. And I think that’s… Read More
You mentioned that the Frankfurt Zoo is physically a small zoo, but that the zoo society has done major conservation work in Africa, as well as other places. Read More
But what can a small or a medium size municipal, as is Frankfurt Zoo’s governments do today to be involved in conservation, either nationally or internationally?… Read More
What can they do?… Read More
You mentioned the future. Read More
What would you like to see them maybe do more of or to move forward towards something?… Read More
Well, of course, we know all the graph George Rapp did about 15 years ago that the future of the zoos are conservation centers. I fully support that conservation is very important for me, even the most important thing. But I think that we shouldn’t forget the other three tasks. Read More
There’s probably not one problem but several problems. The main problem since decades is, of course, the money. Every zoo needs more money for better enclosures. That’s an everlasting problem, I think, in the future as well. But one problem is the import and export of animals. That becomes more… Read More
But nowadays, maybe this airline no longer transports animals. So it has to go from City A to City C to City B. And every interruption of the direct flight is bad for the animal because it’s longer and it might have difficulties. Too warm or too cold or no… Read More
What would you like to see zoos become in the future?… Read More
American- And I think we answered four. Yeah. No, keep going. Read More
What is the largest professional problem facing zoos today and what can be done to correct the problem?… Read More
And I think that the right structure is the zoo biologist has to be top. But of course needs a very good administrative person and depending the size of the zoo, marketing person, so on, fundraising, all these things. They are necessary nowadays but they shouldn’t have the final decision. Read More
How would you say the zoos in Europe are different or maybe have similarities with zoos in other countries?… Read More
Sorry, haven’t we answered this already?… Read More
And then, of course, increasing the educational part of the zoo and the connection with the universities for science in the zoo. And for me personally, the most important part is the conservation part. And I think nowadays a zoo director should be active in the conservation side as well. Read More
Do you think many zoo directors are or should more be involved?… Read More
I see that more directors are managers and I don’t think that this is the right way. I think the final word should stay with the zoo biologist. Because it’s public opinion. You see, a zoo direction, in the public opinion, knows everything about animals. We can not know everything… Read More
I think sometimes it is quite good that the director is coming from another place than from inside the institution. And I, of course, learned a lot by my PhD supervisor, Heini Hediger, and brought probably some of his ideas to Frankfurt. Probably I have improved the zoo, I think. Read More