I think that we have spread out to be more encompassing instead of just worrying about our own institution, that we’re worried about the other institutions and worried in a good way that we’re helping the others if they’ve got a problem to say, Okay, if you’ve got a problem,… Read More
How did you interact with your curators?… Read More
Is there a function still, primarily regarding aquariums and Marine mammals, and animal rights organizations, or do they have another purpose?… Read More
Well, I think you’re right in what you said there. They’re always on the lookout for that, but they also have become very active in trying to direct existing animal aquariums, those keeping Marine mammals into what I’ll say doing the right thing. That we don’t wanna be treating our… Read More
In the curatorial ranks, how have the curators changed from when you became director?… Read More
We had one particular woman who was a college professor at South Side community College down on Crawford Avenue. And she was just all over us like flies on raw meat and just sunk her teeth in. She would just would not give up. And she finally got a like-minded… Read More
And she came to one of the volunteer classes and sat right up in the front row. And I had to go down there to talk to this new class of volunteers and tell them what was expected. And so she’s sitting right there. Dummy, I didn’t recognize her at… Read More
It was funny. I think some of my staff gave me that. I understand that you had a role in developing and founding the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. Yes, I think maybe I’m founding AMMPA, Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. I think maybe I’m given… Read More
But I was part of it, and now not being in the operating part anymore, I’ve kind of drifted away, but I like to keep up with what they’re doing. And Marilee Menard, who is the executive director of the group keeps me posted and sends me monthly reports on… Read More
And what happened to the others?… Read More
I’m not sure whether they died or what, but this one, Chico, was saved and then transport it up to Miami, where Joe bought it from that dealer and kept it there. And that’s how we got Chico, and he was a great attraction. And early on, he was very… Read More
Did people give you a difficult time about maintaining him?… Read More
It was about two or three concrete blocks high, and Joe was keeping it in there. And he said I asked him about it. He obviously wanted to sell it. So I said, Okay…… Read More
Hannah, Joe, Hannah, you remember him?… Read More
Yep Okay, so he brought it up himself on a cargo plane, and it was in the middle of winter, and it was just colder than I’ll get out. Joe came up, and he was dressed for Florida weather, but he’s shaking like this. And that’s how we got Chico… Read More
Yes, we did. That was part, false killer whales were part of the original plan. But I finally realized that we were in too much of a scatter gun program that we probably should focus, make our focus a lot narrower. And if we got the belugas and got the… Read More
Can you tell us the story about Chico?… Read More
(laughs) Chico, the story about Chico, the freshwater dolphin. I had heard, and I can’t tell you where, and maybe you can help me with this name. There was an animal dealer in Florida whose first name was Joe. And I know that you know him, Joe. A little… Sorry,… Read More
Did you not think about false killer whales, and didn’t you get a permit to collect them?… Read More
What did you say?… Read More