Interview 9511 – Caption Index: 422
As you’re developing this vision for the exhibits, did you have a vision for the educational element that came with it or was part of it and how did that start to develop?… Read More
As you’re developing this vision for the exhibits, did you have a vision for the educational element that came with it or was part of it and how did that start to develop?… Read More
What was your first big development for the zoo society?… Read More
How did that come about?… Read More
Oh, I think many zoos, let me start again. I think many zoos are attempting to put their animals in exhibits that convey the best possible idea of the environment that the animal lives in, in nature. There are obviously limitations and this is not inexpensive, but there isn’t much… Read More
I don’t think they’re necessarily as powerful as ours, but they’re pretty strong and that’s a big help. So I think that as specialization goes on, we will undoubtedly see some movement of animals in relation to climate. What was, closed buildings, (indistinct) vision. Read More
We elected to choose one great ape and to specialize, to focus on it, to give it as much space as we could. And that one exhibit, as I say is bigger than the entire central park zoo. And we can breed as many gorillas as the gorilla species survival… Read More
Do you see zoos, other zoos embracing this type of vision on a regular basis or is financing not allowing them to continue that kind of vision?… Read More
Then they go to see another gorilla after that, then another one that goes on, they’re surrounded by gorillas but,” he said, “They often come over and I have this lady hug me. What should I do?” I said, “keep quiet, don’t hug her back.” So I think we have… Read More
Yes, I closed a lot of buildings. And this was because you wanted to start this rebuilding process. Yes. I closed a good many buildings in the Bronx Zoo and when I opened the Congo exhibit, I closed the old ape house and made some choices, and zoos are going… Read More
We’re a long way from doing it. We’ve done it in some places, but we haven’t yet got Gene Kelly dancing in the rain. On the other hand, we’re beginning to make some breakthroughs. For example, when we did Congo, we made a specific effort, we did a thing I’d… Read More
And you see two wildlife conservation scientists going through the forest and they’re commenting upon what is happening, on everything from gorilla dung to cut huge trees. And you’ll see a seed sprouting from the gorilla dung and it’s explained. You see a wildlife conservation society airplane cruising over the… Read More
What do I mean when I say muddy boots?… Read More
If you’re working in the field, studying what prevents an animal’s population from increasing or what is causing it to decrease, you’re likely to get your feet muddy. So this, a shorthand for working directly with wild animals, whether they be up in trees or whether you’re scrambling through the… Read More
So the combination of field conservationist with zoo conservationist, was something that just wasn’t being done. And today this society has the largest muddy boots program in the world. Read More
Now explain, I understand, but explain, when you say muddy boots, you mean exactly what?… Read More
When I was offered the directorship, I was not entirely surprised although John Tee-Vans illness which led to my Ascension was quite unexpected. But I had certainly seen the opportunity to do things and to realize a developing vision, which were impossible as a curator. But I also had a… Read More
If you are in a conservation organization, studying wildlife, not related to a zoo, and an animal that you are studying dies, of course you’re saddened. It’s not your fault it died in nature. If you were studying an animal in the zoo and it dies it’s your fault, whether… Read More
You said that you were, I’ll use my words, reluctantly recruited to become director, but had you considered that position before you were approached?… Read More
And when you were approached, as you thought about it, did it interest you because now you would be able to make change or help affect change and did you want the zoo to be different?… Read More
And Laurence had been such a wonderful chairman of the board. And Laurence agreed to take it for a while. He’d been associated with the society for 40 years and it was a part of his life and his world. And he cares very deeply and was very, here’s a… Read More