Depends on the size of the zoo. Plan of the zoo. If it’s medium to small, perhaps you do not justify having just one or two or three, or whatever, elephants. Just to bring in more public, yes. But depends on the priority of the zoo, even some small medium… Read More
Are there any zoos in the world you particularly admire, why, and where are they?… Read More
The old zoo in Berlin, West Berlin, because of the diversity of the species, and the classic facilities still being updated, that would be my favorite zoo, Berlin. Not the Tierpark Berlin. In this country, there are so many good examples. Bronx Zoo still shines, in my mind. And while… Read More
Do you think zoos focus, or have to focus, with large animals, such as elephants, space requirements as the public perceives it?… Read More
Or as the elephants actually need it?… Read More
Do you think there’s a difference between a five acre exhibit, and a 25 acre exhibit for an elephant?… Read More
Is it being done correctly now?… Read More
It’s getting that way. You have to have, it’s a highly social animal. You have to have certain number. There’s no justification of having one single elephant in a solitary confinement, just for the sake of boosting up the gate revenue. No, you have to something like minimum three. And… Read More
I would say you have to have them as an ambassador of the wildlife world to the human world, but to meet their captive requirements, you have to offer them and house them in a facility that meets some standard, so it is a necessary investment for zoos. Yes, it’s… Read More
Given your experience, what is your view regarding zoos maintaining elephants and how it should be done correctly?… Read More
Do we have any of those people in the zoo world?… Read More
We need some. Very definitely, yeah. I can’t think of anyone in the country at the moment, but Sir David Attenborough is a huge presence in the British Isles, yes. And he has such a class. Read More
We mentioned this briefly, but when a zoo spends multi millions of dollars on a gorilla, or elephant, or a tiger exhibit, and critics may say, why is this money not used to help animals in the wild, you say?… Read More
Yes, indeed. Especially with species with high public profile, mostly. Nobody would care if the last of the species of a rattlesnake you have to euthanize, but when it comes to cute and cuddlies, mammals especially, it would cause a problem, yes. Public relations nightmare, you might say. Read More
Do we need, or do we have, any charismatic or committed heroes to help shift public opinion for conservation?… Read More
Example, possibly Jane Goodall or Jack Hanna, or Jacques Cousteau, or David Attenborough?… Read More
Did any of the zoos you worked in have sister zoo relationships?… Read More
No. I never worked in powerhouse zoos, such as Lincoln Park, or Brookfield, or National, or the Bronx, or San Diego, so my range was relatively limited. Small to medium zoos. Read More
Does euthanizing of endangered species, surplus or genetic issues, still pose a political problem for zoos and aquariums?… Read More
What do you think the value is of the sister zoo programs, and while you were working in the field, did any of the zoos you worked at have sister zoo relationships?… Read More