Oh, I think the ideal approach has to be collaborative. You’ve got to not have an architect who wants to build a monument to him or herself. You have to include your animal keepers. They’re the ones who are gonna be dealing with this exhibit or exhibits the rest of… Read More
And they came to us, we built the Great Ape House and the old one. And they said, “Oh, we wanna build one like yours.” And I said, “No, you wanna build it better. You don’t wanna build the same one. We’re gonna tell you where we made our mistakes. Read More
Don’t make our mistakes.” So I think that collaborative approach both nationally, internationally and within your team is where you get the best success. So in speaking of successes, I like to think of the publication of your book. “The Ark in the Park” is quite an accomplishment. I mean,… Read More
So how can I learn about a species if I can’t do something with it in a professional manner?… Read More
Maybe I get two or three people together. But that create, being creative a bit, I think has been a bit lost. I would also say that the accreditation program of zoos from AZA has been wonderful to keep the zoos in a high standard. And also, the classes, again,… Read More
And ultimately, the tail shouldn’t be wagging the dog. It’s the members who created this organization many years ago. But you know, I’ve been out of it for a little while. So that’s my opinion. I think you’re still right on. Read More
This is something that’s kind of fallen back a little bit and we’ve talked about it, but in your own mind, what is the ideal zoo exhibit design approach?… Read More
I think you need zoos more than ever because of the dwindling wild. Zoos are last bastion of education about what’s going, and again, they have to be the stewards and part of the leadership role of the wild. Yeah. Yeah. Read More
Getting back to our professional parent organization, AZA, had the species survival programs of AZA helped zoos in developing their collections?… Read More
That is, has it allowed them to venture out to develop new animal breeding programs?… Read More
Well, I think, AZA, the breeding, the Species Survival programs, I think have been beneficial because they bring a whole bunch of people together for the greater good. I think where it falters in my opinion is that it doesn’t leave a lot of room for independent thinking. That is… Read More
How important is community support?… Read More
Can a zoo survive without it?… Read More
Yes, they cannot survive without. A community’s support is everything. Whether you’re in a small community or a giant community, you have got to be relevant. Absolutely. Again, we’re talking about critics of zoos. Read More
Do we still need zoos?… Read More
Well, I think, ideally, you need to have a combination as it turns out, of academic credentials and you need to have experience. And I think if you have those two things, depending on your energy level, you can hopefully make a difference within the profession. But I think you… Read More
Yeah. Something along that line, do you feel the curatorial staff has a function in fundraising for the zoo or aquarium?… Read More
I think the curatorial staff is a part of the big scheme in raising funds. I think donors wanna talk to the curators, the people who are on the ground floor of dealing with the animals ’cause they have the stories, they have the knowledge, and they are the conduit… Read More
I mean, you’ve named a number of things for which you could say that. Well, I mean, I think within the profession, I’m very proud of having done the studbook and trying to advance that. I’m very proud of having work with the collections that were major collections and made… Read More
So many zoo personnel after retiring continue to be active in the cause for animal welfare. How are you involved?… Read More