Because of the technology, nowadays you have to be thoroughly familiar with computers, whatever, the pocket devices, whatever. Now it’s a requirement that a dinosaur like me really is unfamiliar with. That’s a new area that you have to have, on top of the people skills. Thorough knowledge on animals,… Read More
The new Berlin Zoo director did the same thing. His style was much milder. He wouldn’t stare at people. He didn’t raise his voice, but he did basically the same thing, even in the Tierpark Berlin, in the big place. That’s something that American zoo directors don’t do. And that’s… Read More
What traits made you a good curator?… Read More
Pardon?… Read More
Did you make zoo rounds when you were curator?… Read More
Yes. Early in the morning. On foot. In Milwaukee, I got spoiled. Maybe I used the golf cart. But basically, as Hediger said, going around in the motor vehicle is not a morning round. You walk. And Bernard, you may have met him. Read More
He was saying, he’s now saying, why is such and such animal was not on the exhibit on weekend?… Read More
Hmm. That’s another zoo director’s round. And we stayed away from his sight line, even. Then for the first time, he looks at us, that’s Marvin Jones and Mark Reid and my wife and me, said 11:30, come to the zoo restaurant. (laughing) So 11:30, we will go to the… Read More
So did you make zoo rounds?… Read More
What’s this?… Read More
Pretty soon, you know why animals are well cared for, well labeled, and not wire sticking out of the animal cage. At that time, Hans Friedrich, the assistant director, was with us, he comes around, and he makes his own round on weekend. Read More
Nine o’clock, with jacket and tie, he would say good morning, and good morning. And by that time, he had the entire zoo in his hand. So they had animal meetings, at that time, the zoo had emperor penguins. They had a very skilled zookeeper who took care of them. Read More
The zoo director. Berlin Zoo, you’ve probably met him. Eight o’clock in the morning, senior staff gathers, rain or shine, into the lion house, or whatever. And he comes around, claps his hands, and says you, and you, and you, and you make a round with me. And the group… Read More
And at one point, he brings in the maintenance guy, looks at the little hole on the sidewalk, and you don’t have to know German language. He’s, ah, ah, ah, ah. So the maintenance head pulls up the notepad. Uh-uh. Read More
Or disadvantages?… Read More
Advantages outweigh disadvantages. Early in the morning, you walk around the zoo ground. I think I learned it from Dr. Koga, of Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. 6:30 in the morning, he lived in a small house inside the zoo. 6:30 in the morning, the door opens, he comes out with… Read More
Uh, he didn’t expect that. He probably thought I would fight. No, no, no. I was up to here. So that’s the day I’m leaving. He says, fine. His name was John Caltibiano. Read More
How important, you mentioned going around the zoo, in all these zoos that you’ve worked in, how important would you say it was for the curator to make rounds?… Read More
What were the advantages?… Read More
And the Staten Island Zoo?… Read More