Chuckles the River Dolphin: Pittsburgh Treasure, Defier of Odds

During my interview with Corbin Maxey, he asked me what surprises have popped up in my zoo history research. My answer was not included in

Interview with Corbin Maxey

I had the extreme privilege of talking with Corbin Maxey about my zoo history writing project.  You might have seen him on NBC’s “The Today

Ambika: Golden Girl or Energizer Bunny?

“Ambika! I remember visiting her as a young girl!” an Elephant House patron exclaimed to keeper Kayleigh Sullivan. Kayleigh, smiling, said that she hears that

Belle Benchley, World’s First Female Zoo Director

In 1925 when Dr. Harry Wegeforth realized that, as a full-time surgeon, his responsibilities as president of the San Diego Zoo were piling up, he

Dr. Harry Wegeforth, Two Stubborn Elephants, and One Feisty Diablo

In a few weeks I will be visiting the San Diego Zoo for the third time. Failing to do so previously, I’ve made it a

Penguins at the National Zoo: A Failed Experiment?

I struggled writing this piece, but I have to keep in mind that many stories from zoos past are not uplifting. It only highlights how

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