Meet the Zoo Director - January, 2010 - Jim Breheny, Bronx Zoo

Name:  Jim Breheny

Actual title:  Wildlife Conservation Society Senior Vice President of Living Institutions and Director of the Bronx Zoo

Name of your zoo:  Bronx Zoo

Location:  Bronx, New York, USA

URL for your facility:  www.bronxzoo.com

Number of species at your facility:  618

Your favorite critter at the facility:  Male Nile Crocodile in the Madagascar! exhibit

Total number of animals or fish at your facility:  6,624 

Number of visitors annually:  2 million

Number of employees:  564

Number of volunteers:  Approximately 210

Annual budget:  FY 2009 = $60,986,060

Degree(s):  MS in Biology

Experience prior to this position:  I have been at the Bronx Zoo my entire career. Was an Adjunct at Manhattan College in Riverdale NY for 16 years.

Favorite part of your job:  Interacting with animals.

One dream wish for your facility:  A huge penguin exhibit.

Family:  My wife and I have been married for twelve years. Kathleen LaMattina works at the zoo also.

Pets at home:  Dogs, cats, fish....

When you retire, you plan to:  Take some time off together, Kathleen likes to travel. Having the responsibility for a zoo and this incredible collection of animals is very demanding. Weekends, holidays and vacations tend to get lost in the shuffle.