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Meet the Zoo Director - November, 2009 - Gerry Brady, Potter Park Zoological Gardens
Actual title: Zoo Director Name of your zoo: Potter Park Zoological Gardens Location: Lansing, Michigan URL for your facility: www.potterparkzoo.org Number of species at your facility: 133 Your favorite critter at the facility: Amur tigers are extreme Total number of animals at your facility: 585 Number of visitors annually: 200,000 Number of employees: Peak Season 80 - 90 Number of volunteers: 200 Annual budget: 4.1 million Degrees: Masters in Zoology, BA Biological Science, BA Chemistry Experience prior to this position: After receiving my Master’s Degree from the University of Northern Colorado, I went to the South Pacific (Micronesia) and taught science for two years in the Peace Corps. In 1976, I joined the AZA and was hired as General Curator / Park Manager of Bear Country USA, Black Hills, South Dakota. I then went to the Sunset Zoo, Manhattan, Kansas as Zoo Director and five years later was hired as General Curator of the Cheyenne Mt. Zoo, Colorado Springs. In haste, I moved on to the great state of Michigan and have been the Zoo Director for 20 + years at the Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Michigan. Favorite part of your job: Working on AZA accreditation materials (guess again). I really enjoy interacting with staff and visitors. The best comes when monies are secured for exhibit improvements, staff training, and new equipment. I love the daily excitement of talking with visitors and seeing their enthusiasm when touring the zoo. One dream wish for your facility: That donor that writes a check for a one million dollar endowment fund. Family: One girl friend, one son (18 – I need help), two step daughters, six grand children and a fantastic brother and sister. Pets at home: Two cats, one pug, hissing cock roaches, rainbow boa, and three Michigan frogs When you retire, you plan to: Move to Colorado to the mountains and continue conservation work in Asia and Africa |

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