We got away from going to every school and instead had worked out a thing with the school system where they came to the zoo. That way they could see more and get a better education, number one. It was hard for them because that’s an expense to put them… Read More
Some can be seen, or maybe priority wise, oh this is fun. We’ll throw in a little education and some conservation with it too. But its main focus may be fun or entertaining or a more active exhibit, but then you try to put something with it, so it’s building… Read More
When you were director, did the zoo have animal shows?… Read More
And what were they and what was the derivation?… Read More
And talking about education too, within the zoo, should all newly constructed exhibits incorporate a conservation conclusion?… Read More
I think every exhibit has different uses. You gotta look at the big package. It would be nice if we tried to put a conservation message on each one that we did. You know, if we, say the sea lion pool. You needed something for people to get drawn to… Read More
Every exhibit doesn’t have to be the conservation thing, you know?… Read More
Regular checks on things, you know?… Read More
That it wasn’t wait ’til an animal gets sick. Let’s do regular exams and have records saying when we did that and what it was at this time and doing weights and all that, so you had a baseline to go with. And then I think because my bent was… Read More
The only thing we had done was to train them so that we could get them to go into a holding cage so that we could get into the display to clean it. So I think the whole behavioral enrichment was, to me, one of the best things that came… Read More
I think a lot of people forget that. But I think you always have to come back to what you’re there for. Read More
So when we talk about animals, what would you say is the most significant change in the care of animals under your leadership?… Read More
Oh. Well we expanded. We did get a new veterinarian who was much more involved in not only just coming in if something was sick, but in setting up. Read More
I think, if I’m getting the question right, I think our first and foremost duty is to the animals. In the bigger picture, the welfare is doing the right thing by the animals that you have in your charge. So sometimes it means euthanizing them. Sometimes it means things leaving. Read More
And what do you think that means?… Read More
And following through on that. And not bucking the system. You know, if you see where you’re supposed to be going, your job is again a combination, but you should always, always, always be true to your animals. And passionate about what you’re – why you went into the business… Read More
You know?… Read More
I don’t think they asked. Because again, it was internal. So they had been a part of the process not unlike when I had gone into directorship from being a curator. So no, they didn’t ask. No, and I tried very hard not to. Step on any toes or give… Read More
In hindsight, not so good. You should get as much information as you can from anybody you can. But we learn a little slower. So during your tenure as director, a lot of things were going on within the zoo world. Read More
What do you feel is the zoo’s responsibility to animal welfare?… Read More