Zoophoria!

The Story of the Modern Conservation Zoological Park as Told by its Leaders

"As a past interviewee for Zoophoria, I believe it to be a very valuable and factual documentation of the passion and commitment of the many fine people that are involved in zoo-based conservation. Over the past 20-30 years, accredited zoological parks have undergone a transformation from historical menageries to active participants in the global conservation community. Zoophoria is a great testimonial to this conservation revolution."

Rick Barongi

Former Director, Houston Zoo

The Zoo Fix It Guy: A Conversation with Nevin Lash, Zoo Designer CEO of Ursa International

@ Nevin Lash Nevin Lash’s career took a turn when he heard about the emergence of CLR Design in Philadelphia, a design company dedicated solely to zoos. “I was quite bored of designing malls and office parks when I heard about this firm in Philadelphia,” he recalled. At the time, they were looking for a project manager for a massive undertaking that would take Zoo Atlanta from one of the worst zoos in America to a world-class facility. Lash was given the Project Manager role,

Conservation Engagement: A Conversation with Alan Varsik, Director of the Point Defiance Zoo and Aqu

The Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma is unique in the zoo and aquarium world as it concentrates almost exclusively on animals from the Pacific Rim. Its sister facility, Northwest Trek, is even more unique as it only features wildlife from the Pacific Northwest. Its centerpiece is a 450-acre free roaming exhibit for North American hoofstock. Both facilities are on the cutting edge of environmental education, conservation and sustainability. In 2017, the Point Defiance

Great Potential: A Conversation with Dan Wharton, Former Director of the Central Park Zoo and Senior

While volunteering at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Dan Wharton became aware of the visions and ideals of the zoo of the future. He would soon go to the New York Zoological Society's Bronx Zoo and would stay there when the society transitioned to the Wildlife Conservation Society. Wharton spent 13 years as Director of the Central Park Zoo and finished his career as Senior Vice President of Conservation Science at the Brookfield Zoo. Here is his story. @ Dan Wharton Dan Wh

Something Fascinating: A Conversation with Ray Pawley, Retired Curator at the Brookfield Zoo

Ever since it’s opening in 1934, the Brookfield Zoo outside of Chicago has been regarded as a leader in the zoo field. One of its prominent figures was Ray Pawley, who served as Curator of Herpetology, as well as General Curator, Curator of Birds, Public Relations and Special Projects from 1964 to 1998. Working under four directors including the legendary late Dr. George Rabb, he was there when the zoo was beginning to modernize as well as become a bigger player in conserva

I Believe in The Wilds: A Conversation with Jan Ramer, Vice President of The Wilds

After years of experience in animal care and zoo medicine, Jan Ramer came to the Wilds in 2015 and became its Vice President in 2017. At over 9,000 acres, the Ohio-based, Columbus Zoo-affiliated safari park and conservation center is renowned for its large herds of animals and breeding success with endangered animals such as white and Indian rhinoceros, takin, cheetah and African wild dog. The Wilds is a member of Conservation Centers for Species Survival (C2S2), which is det

Team Fiona: A Conversation with Christina Gorsuch, Curator of Mammals at the Cincinnati Zoo

After spending time at three other zoos, Christina Gorsuch became Curator of Mammals at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2015. She oversees the care and husbandry of a wide variety of animals from lions to black rhinoceroses to Asian elephants to Mexican wolves to African wild dogs. However, soon Gorsuch would become most associated with hippos when she became social media famous as Coach of Team Fiona, the animal care team responsible for caring for the zoo's prematurely born hippo. He

Caring: A Conversation with Stuart Strahl, President and CEO of the Brookfield Zoo and Chicago Zoolo

Dr. Stuart Strahl’s love of nature began at a young age. "I was born on Manhattan within a few blocks of Central Park, where my mother took me on frequent walks,” he remembered. “She told me that I always loved animals, from pigeons to squirrels. Mud puddles and the Central Park Zoo (which was a quite dismal zoo at the time) were my favorites, and my mother found it easier to clean up after a zoo outing. Some of my earliest memories stem from those times. Luckily, my parents

Setting Zoos in Motion: A Conversation with Anne Baker, Retired Director of the Rosamond Gifford and

Dr. Anne Baker served as Director of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse from 1993 to 2006 and Executive Director/CEO of the Toledo Zoo from 2006 to 2012. Renowned for her excellent leadership, commitment to animal science and sensitive, thoughtful management of staff, she served as the first female president of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in over fifty years. Baker helped elevate the stature of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo and brought profound cultural change while at

Primate Problem Solving and Reintroduction: A Conversation with Dr. Ben Beck, Retired Associate Dire

For decades, Dr. Benjamin Beck has been one of the leading authorities on animal behavior in zoos, particularly of primates. “Animal behavior research produces fundamental understanding of, for example, feeding behavior and of social systems and social behavior,” he stated. “Two examples in the social realm come to mind. In the 60s and early 70s, golden lion tamarins were kept in zoos in multimale/multifemale groups like macaques. The results were disastrous: fighting, lethal

Reaching People: A Conversation with Ted Beattie, Retired President of the Shedd Aquarium

Since starting at the Cincinnati Zoo in the late 1970s to his retirement from the Shedd Aquarium in 2016, Ted Beattie was one of the most iconic and well-respected leaders in the zoo and aquarium profession. His work in marketing paved the way for zoos to market their exhibits and bring in guests through events and experiences like Zoo Lights and Boo at the Zoo. Beattie helped put both Zoo Knoxville and the Fort Worth Zoo on track to grow and develop during his stints as dire

Zoophoria!

The Story of the Modern Conservation Zoological Park as Told by its Leaders

Rick Barongi

Former Director, Houston Zoo

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