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,

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

On This Day In History: The Triumph of Willie B.

On this day in 1988, Willie B, who Terry Maple proclaimed "a charismatic gorilla if there ever was one," stepped outside in his new state-of-the-art home at Zoo Atlanta after 27 years of living in isolation with nothing but a television set and tire swing for company. Despite many suspecting he would remain antisocial, he became the silverback of the zoo's group of gorillas and fathered five offspring. To learn more about the iconic ape and the story behind him, check out the

A Culture of Conservation and Sustainability: A Conversation with Beth Stevens, Retired Senior Vice

During her twenty years with the Walt Disney Company, Beth Stevens helped cultivate a culture of conservation and sustainability throughout not just Disney's Animal Kingdom but the entire company. One of the first employees of Animal Kingdom, she moved up from Director of Conservation and Science to Vice President of the entire park. Stevens then went on the be Senior Vice President of Environmental Initiatives for the entire Walt Disney Company, influencing everything from t

Conservation and Government Partnerships: A Conversation with Rich Block, CEO of the Santa Barbara Z

The Santa Barbara Zoo is one of the finest small zoos in the nation located on the Pacific Ocean. In the last decade, it has become renowned as a leader in the conservation of several California species including the Channel Island fox and the California condor. Rich Block has served as the zoo’s CEO since 1998. Prior to coming to the Santa Barbara Zoo, Block worked at a number of other zoos, worked at the World Wildlife Fund for several years and served as Executive Directo

Leading with Heart: A Conversation with Jackie Ogden, Retired Vice President of Animals, Science and

Since it opened Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 1998, the Walt Disney Company has been a global leader in animal science and conservation. From 2007 until early 2017, the company’s Vice President of Animals, Science and Environment for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts was Dr. Jackie Ogden. Until her recent retirement, she steered Disney’s Parks and Resorts team to provide top notch animal welfare, save species from extinction around the world and nurture the conservation leaders of t

Exhibits Are Like Movies: A Conversation with Ace Torre, CEO and Principal of Torre Design Consortiu

For the last four decades, Ace Torre and his firm Torre Consortium have been household names in the zoo design industry. He has become renowned for his innovative habitat designs often incorporating strong cultural, architectural and historical themes. Notably, Torre master planned designed most of the key exhibits at the Audubon Zoo, the Memphis Zoo, the Lowry Park Zoo and the Virginia Zoo. Here is his story. @ Torre Consortium Torre started out in city planning with a stron

Arizona Center for Nature Conservation: A Conversation with Bert Castro, President/CEO of the Phoeni

Bert Castro has become recognized as a leader in the zoo field for his exemplary leadership at both the Oklahoma City and Phoenix Zoos. While in Oklahoma City from 2001 to 2008, he oversaw the development of Oklahoma Trails, the largest expansion in the zoo’s history up to that time. Since arriving in Phoenix in 2008, Castro has overseen several capital projects and has helped boost the zoo’s reputation. Here is his story. @ Phoenix Zoo Bert grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma and oft

Taking Zoo Atlanta from Worst to World Class: A Conversation with Dr. Terry Maple, Retired Director

In 1984, Zoo Atlanta was panned as one of the ten worst in the country by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS.) However, its director Dr. Terry Maple was determined to change that and within five years the Zoo had transformed into one of the most respected zoos in the country. Few figures in zoo history have become as iconic and legendary as Maple. While he will forever be remembered for turning around Zoo Atlanta and all he accomplished during his 19 years as direc

Promoting Animal Wellness, Growing Plants and Letting Tigers Go Over Your Head: A Conversation with

For decades Tony Vecchio has been one of the most well-respected directors in the zoo field. Responsible for immense growth and success at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence and the Oregon Zoo in Portland, he is now director of the Jacksonville Zoo. Although the Jacksonville Zoo was already a very good zoo when Vecchio took charge in 2009, he saw it as an “opportunity to come to a great zoo and make it greater.” He expanded on the success of the zoo’s former director D

Zoophoria!

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

Rick Barongi

Former Director, Houston Zoo

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