I haven’t given that any thought. I think what zoos, with Milwaukee, I think integrating national and international conservation in with what the zoo is doing. I think that’s important. They’re not separate. Everything is, it’s all part and parcel. It’s not, you know, World Wildlife Fund. I mean, I… Read More
So I think international organizations can, I don’t know whether they even look, send your researchers to the zoo that has that animal, so they can see the animal up close and, you know, find out what questions you have. If you’re looking at the bonobo up in the tree,… Read More
We’ve talked about conservation and education and what role do you see zoos playing in research?… Read More
I don’t know. I mean, I like ZooLex. I go on on ZooLex website to see what, I mean, there are some innovative things being done in zoos. And so just keep abreast of what’s going on. I think it really is, most of the smaller zoos end up closing… Read More
I’m not Temple Grandin. There are people who know exactly, visually, I can tell you whether it’s gonna work or not and why it doesn’t work, but you can’t do that before it’s built. (chuckles) So bring me in afterwards and I’ll say, oh, this is what you should’ve done. Read More
What issues would you like to see zoos address in the future?… Read More
I said, “Well, don’t you think you should go back?” But, you know, if they love the zoo, they love the zoo and it’s part of the community. They wanna know that their zoo is one of the 10 best zoos in the country. And so they, but people who… Read More
Any thoughts as to what zoos will look like in the future?… Read More
What should zoos be doing to prepare for the future?… Read More
Go to the zoo? When’s the last time you were at the zoo?… Read More
I will tell ya, most people think that their local zoo is wonderful. When I went to Milwaukee for my interview, a cab driver asked me why I was there. And I said, I was there to interview for a job and he says, “We have the best zoo in… Read More
You’re gonna love it.” And I said, “When’s the last time you were at the zoo?” 25 years ago?… Read More
What are some of the most dramatic or important changes you’ve witnessed in animal management?… Read More
Well, the advances in veterinary medicine. I mean, I had keepers at the National Zoo who their specialty was lassoing an animal to catch it. So I think the changes in veterinary medicine have enabled all the other changes, the natural, that and animal enrichment programs, having keepers having time… Read More
What would you say, we talked about animal activists and animal rights, but what would you say to those who still believe that zoos are nothing more than places where they cage animals?… Read More
Yeah, and he replaced me at the National Zoo. And this man who loves elephants and devoted his life to elephants, he basically equated elephants in zoos to abused women. That they’re such a social animal that they need that contact with someone. And whether, you know, you’re Smokey Jones,… Read More
Brookfield, did Brookfield get out of elephants too?… Read More
Yeah, so Milwaukee was the only one. Madison got out of elephants. So Chuck wanted to make a commitment to elephants. And we have a dedicated elephant staff, but, I mean, they’re special people, and they have to be treated specially, ’cause elephants are special animals. Read More
What are your, and you’ve had some experience, what are your views regarding the hot topic of zoos maintaining elephants in their collections?… Read More
Well, I tell ya, elephants have been a problem for me my whole time as curator. Read More