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SAINT LOUIS ZOOLOGICAL
PARK COMMISSION
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By Rick Skwiot
The Zoo means fun for most St. Louisans—its Commission members included.
“Everyone loves the Zoo,” says Saint Louis Zoological Park Commission
Chairman Steven F. Schankman. “Everyone has a good memory.”
And “everyone” seems hardly an exaggeration. Each year the Saint
Louis Zoo— recognized internationally as one of the world’s best—hosts
some three million visitors.
The
Saint Louis Zoological Park Commission (Left to right):
Rev. Lawrence Biondi, S.J., Mark
J. Schnuck, James H. Buford, Jeanne
Roberts, advisory commissioner; Robert R. Hermann,
Emeritus; Jay Henges, Susan B. McCollum,
vice chairman; Steven F. Schankman, chairman;
Joseph O. Losos, treasurer; Dr. Donald M.
Suggs, Dr. Jeffrey P. Bonner, president
of the Zoo; Dr. William J. Boever, director
of the Zoo; James G. Sansone, advisory commissioner;
Dr. Henry D. Shannon. (Members not present):
Judith McNamara, advisory commissioner; Carolyn
H. Toft. |
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Says Commission Vice-Chairman Susan B. McCollum, “The Zoo is one
of the few cultural institutions accessible to everyone in the community,
from St. Louis to St. Charles County. Whenever people learn I’m
on the Zoo Commission, they all have a story to tell me. Everyone
has an opinion.”
Maintaining that accessibility, McCollum says, ranks as one of the
Commission’s top charges: keeping the 90-acre Zoo free. (As such,
it’s one of the last of an endangered species.) Along with keeping
it a great visitor experience.
“We have a wonderful zoo. The greatest free zoo in the world,” McCollum
says. “But to maintain our status we need to do more and more.”
The 10-member Commission oversees the Zoo’s operations and finances,
one-third of which comes from property taxes through the Zoo Museum
District. According to Zoo President Jeffery P. Bonner, Ph.D., who
also serves as secretary of the Commission, “It’s the only zoo in
the nation with such a property tax arrangement.”
Bonner says, “The Zoo is a quasi-independent governmental entity,
which means more responsibility for the Commission,” since it’s
answerable to taxpayers as well as to donors and patrons.
Donations also play a big role in the Zoo’s portfolio, thanks in
large part to the work of the Zoo Foundation’s Board of Directors,
a group of some 60 civic leaders. They recently spearheaded a capital
campaign that raised some $70 million. The Zoo boasts a third board,
the 30-member Saint Louis Zoo Friends Association Board of Directors,
which supports the Zoo in all its activities and events.
But the three boards seem to share the upbeat Zoo ambiance. “There’s
no infighting,” Schankman says, “and we’re seldom controversial.
It’s important that we work well together.”
Even though the Zoo has meant fun for generations of visitors, it
has grown to become more than simply a place to watch seals and
eat popcorn.
“Visiting the Zoo is a wonderful experience,” McCollum says, “but
it’s also a research and conservation organization.”
Bonner says, “There’s a lot of hidden Zoo that visitors never see.
We’re all over the world doing research, with full-time staff in
Nicaragua and the Galapagos Islands.”
In addition the Zoo operates a 355-acre breeding farm near Washington,
Mo.
“We have a mission to teach people about endangered species,” Schankman
says. “We need to take part in the world’s ecology and world animal
husbandry. We’re not a petting zoo. We’re here for research and
to help save animals.”
As such, the Zoo is noted as a leader in worldwide animal conservation
efforts, participating in numerous national and international projects
with other zoos, field biologists and government agencies.
Still, while most patrons remain unaware of “the hidden zoo,” they
see more and learn more about animals, animal habitat, and endangered
species with each visit. Additionally, each year more than 200,000
people take part in Zoo programs such as lectures, classes and senior
night.
In April 2002 the Zoo’s new $27 million River’s Edge exhibit opened
to the public. It shows hippos, elephants, and other animals in
“local” habitats. Previously, in May 2000, the Monsanto Insectarium
debuted, where visitors can learn about invertebrates’ role in our
ecosystem. The $8 million Penguin & Puffin Coast exhibit is slated
to open this spring. It will feature two large domed indoor rockscapes
with rugged coastlines, underwater viewing of oceanic birds, and
an outdoor area with waterfall.
All this is in addition to its Children’s Zoo, Bird Garden, Jungle
of the Apes, Big Cat Country, and numerous other exhibits. Also,
The Living World display combines 150 species of live animals with
computers, video and interactive stations to demonstrate biodiversity
and the need for conservation.
The Zoo, whose daily operations are overseen by its director, Dr.
William Boever, remains open year round, except for Christmas and
New Year’s Day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s also open Tuesdays, Fridays
and Saturdays until dusk Memorial Day through Labor Day.
“This is unequivocally one of the five best zoos in the world,”
Bonner says. “But how do you maintain that position?”
The Zoo Commission, he says, with the help of the Zoo Foundation
and Zoo Friends, is answering that question.
Rick Skwiot is a St. Louis-based freelance writer.
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