Lester E. Fisher (February 24, 1921 –December 22, 2021) was an American zoologist who studied apes and other animals. He began his career in 1947 when hired part-time as Lincoln Park Zoo's first veterinarian. [1] He became affectionately known as Chicago's Dr. Doolittle and Mr. Chimps. [2]
Fisher received his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Iowa State University in 1943. [3] Then, Fisher served in World War II in Europe as a veterinarian for Gen. George S. Patton's bull terrier, Willie. [2]
From 1947 to 1962, he also had a private veterinary practice in Berwyn. [2] In 1962, Marlin Perkins left as director of Lincoln Park Zoo for St. Louis. Fisher succeeded him as the zoo's director. [1] He continued in that role until his retirement in 1992. [2] Fisher was then Director Emeritus for the zoo until his death. [1]
Fisher appeared in the documentaries Arctic Window (1985), Otto: Zoo Gorilla, and Zookeepers. [2] He frequently appeared on Chicago area television shows to promote the Lincoln Park Zoo, animals cared for by the zoo, and conservation topics. Shows on which he regularly appeared include Zoo Parade , The Ray Rayner Show , in a segment called "Ark in the Park", and Bozo`s Circus . [2] One of his later television appearances was in an episode of Pritzker Military Presents entitled Soldier's Best Friends: Animals in the Military which aired on WYCC. [4]
Fisher received the R. Marlin Perkins Award in 1996, which is the highest award given by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. [3]
Lincoln Park Zoo has named the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes after Fisher. [5]
Fisher's time at Lincoln Park Zoo is the subject of his memoir, written with Betty White, entitled Dr. Fisher's Life on the Ark: Green Alligators, Bushman, and Other Hare-raising Tales from America's Most Popular Zoo and Around the World, which was published in 2004. [6]
Fisher lived in Hayward, Wisconsin. [7] He turned 100 on February 24, 2021, and died on December 22. [8]
The National Zoological Park, commonly known as the National Zoo, is one of the oldest zoos in the United States. The zoo is part of the Smithsonian Institution and does not charge admission. Founded in 1889, its mission is to "provide engaging experiences with animals and create and share knowledge to save wildlife and habitats".
Twycross Zoo is a medium to large zoo near Norton Juxta Twycross, Leicestershire. The zoo has the largest collection of monkeys and apes in the Western World, and in 2006 re-launched itself as "Twycross Zoo – The World Primate Centre".
Jack Bushnell Hanna is a retired American zookeeper and a director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. "Jungle Jack" was director of the zoo from 1978 to 1992, and is viewed as largely responsible for elevating its quality and reputation. His media appearances, particularly with David Letterman, James Corden, Good Morning America, and Maury Povich have made him one of the most notable animal experts in the United States. A 2021 documentary, The Conservation Game, alleged that Hanna participated in the mistreatment and private trade of exotic and endangered animals.
The Staten Island Zoo is an 8-acre (3.2 ha) urban zoo in West New Brighton, Staten Island, New York City. The zoo is open year-round except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. It has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1988.
Lincoln Park Zoo, also known as Lincoln Park Zoological Gardens, is a 35-acre (14 ha) zoo in Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois. The zoo was founded in 1868, making it the fourth oldest zoo in North America. It is also one of a few free admission zoos in all of North America. The zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The zoo also became an accredited arboretum in 2019.
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a 183-acre (74 ha) zoo in Cleveland, Ohio. The Zoo is divided into several areas: Australian Adventure; African Savanna; Northern Wilderness Trek, The Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building, Waterfowl Lake, The RainForest, Asian Highlands, and the newly added Susie's Bear Hollow. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has one of the largest collections of primates in North America, The Zoo is a part of the Cleveland Metroparks system.
Richard Marlin Perkins was an American zoologist. He is best known as the host of the television program Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom from 1963 to 1985.
Zoological medicine refers to the specialty of veterinary medicine that addresses the care of captive zoo animals, free ranging wildlife species, aquatic animals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, and includes non-domestic companion animals. Zoological medicine incorporates principles of ecology, wildlife conservation, and veterinary medicine, and applies them to wild animals in natural and artificial environments. As a specialty of veterinary medicine in the United States, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has recognized the College of Zoological Medicine as the governing body of this specialty field since 1983. As such, zoological medicine is equivalent to other subspecialties of veterinary medicine, which are recognized and governed by their particular colleges.
Elmwood Park Zoo is a zoo located in Norristown, Pennsylvania.
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is the "umbrella" organization for the world zoo and aquarium community. Its mission is to provide leadership and support for zoos, aquariums, and partner organizations of the world in animal care and welfare, conservation of biodiversity, environmental education and global sustainability.
A zoo is a facility in which animals are kept within enclosures for public exhibition and often bred for conservation purposes.
Species360 founded in 1974, is an international non-profit organization that maintains an online database of wild animals under human care. As of 2023, the organization serves more than 1,300 zoos, aquariums and zoological associations on six continents and in 102 countries worldwide. The organization provides its members with zoological data collection and management software called ZIMS—the Zoological Information Management System.
Brandywine Zoo is a small 4.7-acre (1.9 ha) zoo that opened in 1905 in Brandywine Park in Wilmington, Delaware, United States. It is located on the banks of the Brandywine River. The zoo is managed by the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation and supported by the Delaware Zoological Society. It is usually open daily, 10AM – 4PM, weather permitting.
The Lincoln Children's Zoo is a children's zoo located in Lincoln, Nebraska. Designed specifically for children to experience interactive, up-close encounters with all of the zoo's animals, Lincoln Children's Zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
William Reid Blair, DVS, better known as W. Reid Blair, worked at the New York Zoological Park from 1902 to 1940. He began as Assistant Veterinarian and Pathologist and retired from the Zoo as its Director. During his 38-year career at the Zoo, he implemented many advancements in the care of captive animals, and he focused on the educational capacity of zoos. Additionally, it was Dr. Blair who relaxed the insistence of William T. Hornaday, the Zoo's first director, on the use of the formal name "New York Zoological Park" in favor of the more familiar "Bronx Zoo."
Dr. Emil P. Dolensek, D.V.M. (1941–1990) was Chief Veterinarian for the New York Zoological Society from 1969 to 1990. He was born in Traverse City, Michigan, and graduated in 1967 from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He worked in private practice in Connecticut until he joined the staff of the New York Zoological Society as one of a handful of full-time zoo veterinarians in America. In addition to caring for animals at the Bronx Zoo, he also cared for animals at the New York Aquarium in Coney Island and, after 1981 when the NYZS took over management of the New York City zoos, he was responsible for the health of the animals at the Central Park, Prospect Park, and Queens Zoos. Dr. Dolensek was awarded the centennial gold medal of the New York State Veterinary Medical Society for his contributions in the field and was a past president of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.
Terry Lee Maple was an American animal behaviorist, wildlife conservationist, professor emeritus of the Georgia Institute of Technology, and zoo director emeritus.
Annelisa Marcelle Kilbourn was a British conservationist, veterinarian and wildlife expert. She worked in Malaysia guarding free-ranging elephants and orangutans and protecting Sumatran rhinoceros and in Madagascar studying ring-tailed lemurs. Kilbourn went on to work at the Lincoln Park Zoo and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. In Gabon, she established that wild gorillas were susceptible to death of the Ebola virus and could be transmitted to humans through hunting and eating infected species. In 2003, Kilbourn was posthumously elected to the Global 500 Roll of Honour by the United Nations Environment Programme.