Roy Shay. Gave me freehand, pretty much. Oh, one step back. Topeka. A zookeeper. Gary Clarke was a master PR person, but also had the real firm grasp on the public and animals and animal care person, because of his experience. So he pretty much laid out how an American… Read More
How did you start thinking about that aspect?… Read More
Writing was something I did, I still do, very comfortably. Putting down your thoughts, observations, on paper. First, I began to write by observing animals directly. That was the first step. Then taking a little overview, you move onto management of animals, and management of zoos, not based on individual… Read More
It was a natural succession for me to look at yesterday from today’s viewpoint, so my writing shifted from observing animal to overall management of the animal collection now into looking into history. So three steps. That’s where I am. You have worked with many zoo directors. Read More
And how they move around is suddenly so lively after you go home. I wrote a paper on that, yeah right. Echidna, I think it was. Yeah. Read More
Now, during your time, which we’ll talk about later, but during your time at these various zoos, you are writing papers and making sure people know what you’re doing, is that correct?… Read More
Mm-hmm. Read More
Good question. Basically, a zoo job is eight to five, 40 hour week job. And you really, really don’t know what your animal does, animal is. Also, there are so many variations in individual zoo situations and individual animal. For some people, bongo is like a cow. Very easy to… Read More
If you go to some other zoo, bongo is, oh it’s a nervous wreck. It bumps into a concrete wall, and injured the lip. It’s so different. It’s a puzzle. If you really want to know the animal, just stay up for 24 hours, and watch the animals for 24… Read More
What did you mean when you said each species is a surprise?… Read More
They’re a puzzle, and you don’t have all the pieces. After so many years, they continue to throw me off altogether. Read More
What did you mean?… Read More
Let’s see. 34 years or so. Wait, I have to look at my paper. Anyway, 34 years or so. 31 years of which being a curator in several zoos. I didn’t want to get up to the zoo directorship. Too far away from the animal collection, too much politics. That’s… Read More
And that’s where I stayed. Read More
I wanted to end the zoo career with an up note instead of down note. It worked. Read More
And when you retired from Staten Island, how many years had you been in the zoo profession?… Read More
So you mentioned you felt that this would be your last zoo position?… Read More
Mm-hmm. Read More
And why would you think that?… Read More
A small collection, one building zoo, which was unique at that time. One wing, quote unquote. With mammals, the birds, and herbs. And well-known for the very large rattlesnake collection, built by Kyle Coffield. You must have heard the name many times indeed. Read More