ALMetro360 July 2018

Woodard : Currently we are raising funds for a new Reptile Facility. We opened Stingray Bay earlier this year. ALMetro360: What are the top 5 priorities moving forward? Woodard: 1. Improve customer service 2. Build a new reptile facility 3. Integrate the Zoo and Mann Museum into one admission 4. Launch the new Interactive real- ity app 5. Continue to add interactive of- ferings ALMetro360: What is your involve- ment with the animals? Woodard: We have a team of awe- some Zookeepers that take care of the day-to-day care and husbandry needs of the zoo animals. We also have a Veterinarian, Veterinarian Intern and Veterinarian Tech. that handle the medical needs of our animal collec- tion. My involvement with the ani- mals is searching and determining new species that we want to exhibit as well as sending animals to other facil- ities for breeding purposes. I have a big picture mentality for managing the collection. ALMetro360: What are some chal- lenges you face? Woodard: Some of the challenges we face are desiring to bring addi- tional animals into our collection but not having the funds to build new ex- hibit spaces. Also, we rely on our com- munity to provide repeat visits to the zoo. Therefore, we must always strive to provide new offerings in order to keep them coming back. ALMetro360: What are new oppor- tunities that you are tapping into for doing business at the zoo? Woodard: We are adding a college student discount days to encourage college students to visit the zoo. We also added 4 serve-days at the zoo where volunteers come out and help us trim shrubs, cut grass and general ground work which saves us money and manpower When I first was involved with ad- ministering the zoo’s budget, the zoo was earning 30% of their budget and the City was providing 70% of our budget. Over the years we have added attractions to the zoo that allowed us to completely turn the tables where the zoo now earns 70% of the budget and the City provides 30% of our budget. Being diligent in how we monitor and administer the budget along with the addition of extra in the park attractions (skylift, giraffe en- counter, petting zoo, parakeet cove, paddle boats and the new stingray bay) has allowed us to accomplish this feat! ALMetro360: What is the process of attaining animals for the zoo? Woodard: Most zoos belong to Zoological Associations. Through these associations we are able to post surplus and desired animals. Most zoos offer breeding loans, loans and purchases. If the animal is an SSP (Species Survival Plan) animal then they are paired with other animals based upon the genetic makeup and if the species should be breeding. In the case of SSP animals there are SSP Coordinators that determine where the animals are placed. ALMetro360: How is the zoo differ- ent now versus when you first started twenty years ago? Woodard: Now the emphasis on zoos is to offer more interactive expe- riences to the visitors. This is why we added our Giraffe Encounter where you walk out on a bridge and get up close and personal with the Giraffe. We also added the Parakeet Cove where you have the opportunity to feed the Parakeet. Just this year we opened Stingray Bay where you have the opportunity to feed the Stingrays. Providing these interactive experi- ences to our visitors leaves them with a connection to wildlife that one does not get through just viewing the ani- mal. To find out five things about Mar- cia that you didn’t know log onto www.almetro360.com for expanded coverage. n 72 AL/ Metro 360 www.almetro360.com “S OMETIMES , I HAVE TO PINCH MYSELF TO REALIZE THIS IS MY JOB ”