It’s basically back to the micromanaging, let’s stop micromanaging species. Let’s let them follow their natural behavior and let’s learn from that rather than trying to micromanage everything to the point where we’re causing trouble. And I think I’ve seen certainly my share of animal care people, and managers, and… Read More
It’s tough. I mean, I’d like to be remembered that I contributed, I think bottom line that I contributed because many of the projects I’ve been involved with, they’re not done yet. They’re still gonna go on, you know, after I’ve retired. But that I did my best to contribute… Read More
How would you like to be remembered, your legacy?… Read More
You said let animals be animals. Read More
And what do you know about the profession that you’ve devoted so many years of your life in serving?… Read More
What do I know today about them?… Read More
What do you know about this profession?… Read More
I know that it’s first and foremost, a great career, a great opportunity if you’re interested in this. It has challenges. It has the ability to make a huge impact in our world, not all businesses or professions do. And it has, I think, provided a quality of life and… Read More
But who’s counting?… Read More
How long have you been in the profession?… Read More
I retired at 52 years, 10 months, and eight days. Read More
I think, well, two things. One, before my career was the advent of new exhibitry, open exhibits. I think that was a significant change for zoos to. But I think on just as significant, but maybe smaller scope, was the whole elephant situation where, you know, threats of no longer… Read More
During your long career, what would you consider to be major events that affected zoos in general?… Read More
Yeah, well, when the hospital closes down, they’re gonna send you the x-ray machine, you know, when it shows up in pieces, you know, those days are all gone now. And so those are significant events in our industry. Read More
In my experience in setting up new animal transaction guidelines, when we went through the period of distraction in Tampa, the only pushback we ever got were from zoos, not the private individuals. They were happy to accept the new policies and procedures, which were more stringent for them than… Read More
Why did we get zoo pushback?… Read More
I would’ve thought that, you know, private rancher, Mr. X, would’ve pushed back on it. Nah, we’re fine, we’ll do it. So, you know, when the truth comes out, when the actual, actual story comes out, sometimes the information is a lot different than what you’re hearing on the headlines. Read More
Yeah. There are bad zoos too. People forget that part of the equation. But the ones that have done it right, put their money in it and have sustainability. Incredible. And I’m glad they are. They don’t have the ability to hold a lot of species, but what they do,… Read More
And you know what?… Read More
They misdirected criticism of the private sector. Read More