We do good conservation work, we have one of the best teams around, dedicated teams, and those teams are proud of the work they do," she said. "We’re a great institution, and we do really, really, really good work. The zoo continues to be committed to animal welfare, Ramer said. The zoo has since moved the animal programs department back within the animal care department, under Ramer's supervision. Rapp did not return a phone call seeking comment Thursday. Suzi Rapp, the zoo's vice president of animal programs for many years, is retiring next Friday, Ramer said. That reporting structure is different than that of other zoos, in Ramer’s experience. Typically, animal programs would fall under the umbrella of animal care, which handles traditional zoo exhibit animals.įormer CFO Greg Bell and former president and CEO Tom Stalf resigned in March, following a Dispatch investigation into their personal use of zoo assets, including homes and tickets to entertainment events. 'We're just really thankful': Columbus Zoo and AEP Ohio partner to provide tree trimmings to animals In recent years, that department has reported directly to the zoo’s chief financial officer, who reported to the president and CEO.Ĭolumbus Zoo and Aquarium: What's new at the zoo? Meet its newest baby animals Primates and cats also will no longer be used in programming outside of zoo grounds, Ramer said.Īs part of a review of operations that began when longtime zoo director Jerry Borin took over as interim president and CEO in late March, the zoo also examined the structure of its animal programs department. "We immediately have stopped doing business with those institutions, we have tightened our policies and procedures on any animal acquisition or moving animals back-and-forth between institutions," Ramer said. Now the zoo will work only with animal vendors who operate within the association's code of ethics for animal care, Ramer said. Zoo officials did not clarify specific problems with unaccredited animal vendors, but raised concerns that they are not subject to the same animal care standards as accredited zoos. The Columbus Zoo has been a member of the nonprofit Association of Zoos and Aquariums for years. She would not name the specific institutions in question and said she couldn't quantify on Thursday how many animals within the zoo's animal programs division had been acquired through those operations. The zoo has since cut ties with those institutions, Ramer said. ![]() Jan Ramer, a veterinarian and the zoo's newly named interim senior vice president of animal care and conservation. Among them are some of the operations called out in “The Conservation Game,” said Dr. The zoo took “a really deep look” at the institutions it works with to acquire animals for its animal programming, officials said. The documentary, as well as ongoing operations reviews under the zoo's new leadership in early April, brought changes, zoo officials said. 'Conservation Game' led to changes at Columbus Zoo Doctors believed Hanna's condition had quickly progressed to Alzheimer's disease, and his family said he was withdrawing from public life. The Hanna family issued a public statement on April 7, a day after "The Conservation Game" debuted at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, that doctors had diagnosed Hanna with dementia. We’re confident that’s what dad would want - or even demand." "He has had a hand in some of the world’s most positive and profound zoological advancements and on-the-ground conservation efforts around the world. He has always believed that the progress that has been made was just the beginning. Zoos will continue to change and grow. "What we can say emphatically is that he worked his entire career to better the animal world," the statement read. The family said they have not yet viewed the documentary. In an emailed statement to The Dispatch, Hanna's family said they would never try to speak for him, as Hanna has been diagnosed with dementia. "I say that with a heavy heart, as an Ohioan and someone who grew up with Jack Hanna." ![]() "I think what we discovered out of Jack Hanna's role in all of this, I would say, at least to me personally, is the most disturbing," director Michael Webber, who lives in the Cincinnati area, told The Dispatch on Wednesday. ![]() Columbus Zoo drops some animal vendors after Jack Hanna's inclusion in documentary 'This office will get to the bottom of it.' Columbus Zoo investigations: Here's where things stand A 'public nonprofit': How much are taxpayers allowed to know about Columbus Zoo operations? Columbus Zoo and Aquarium officially begins search for new leader after resignations Jack Hanna, Columbus Zoo's Director Emeritus, has dementia, his daughters say Columbus Zoo reviewing use of zoo-owned houses for family of executives Documentary director: 'Jack Hanna's role in all of this.
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