QuoteKing of the jungle: Omaha gets a new zoo director
Dennis Pate knew there would be some sacrifices if he left his job as zoo director in sunny Jacksonville, Fla., to take over Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo.
As if he needed to be reminded of one of the most obvious changes, he was greeted by sub-zero temperatures when he came in for his final job interview.
...
In 2002 he got his first chance to lead a zoo, taking over what is now called Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.
There, he oversaw the opening of the zoo's first world-class exhibit (devoted to jaguars), added a botanical garden, helped raise more than $37 million, and saw the zoo's annual attendance increase by 40 percent.
Still, he said, the chance to move to Omaha is like "going from college ball to the pros." Compared to Jacksonville, Omaha's zoo has four times as many animals, twice as many employees and draws double the number of annual visitors.
Full Article:
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10537276
That last statement is sad.
We need to keep the ball rolling. The zoo has improved so much I wish he hadn't used that analogy but hopefully he wasn't trying to be insulting. I am going two or three times a year and hope it continues to grow. I wonder if Omaha's zoo has the potential to grow at a rate of 40%. The new I95 exit will make visiting this much more simple and convenient.
At least its not in pop warner anymore. It can't be insulting if its a fact. Nevertheless, the zoo has come a long way.
In other news, there's going to be an I-95 exit? Good thing. It'll help raise awareness of the zoo... in the way that something like that would have that effect in this town. Stranger things have happened.
Good times. Dying to go to the zoo but have yet to get myself up there.
They just opened that exit and it is great.
(sheepish grin) Shows you how much I make it north of the Core. Thanks for the update.
The zoo is really a nice gem for the city. If you have not been out lately, you should definitely go check it out. This is the best time to go. The animals are actually moving. if you go in the summer, you get to see a bunch of sleeping animals.
Hopefully, we will get up there with the opening of the new Asian exhibit this Spring, I think that will be good.
The Jaguar exibit is amazing. I took the family up there a couple weeks back and got to watch a Jaguar playing in the cool water like a kid in a pool. He looked to be having lots of fun and didn't mind the mass of attention a few feet away behind the glass.
The zoo is great - it's come such a long way in the past 5 years. For a bit of nostalgia, there's a great carousel on site as well - I'm not sure that I can count on (more) than one hand how many are left in North Florida (St. Augustine). Another tidbit that was mentioned on this site before: YOU CAN TAKE YOUR BOAT TO THE ZOO - ADMISSION IS FREE FROM THE DOCKS.
So is the new exit just for "THE ZOO"?
Quote from: copperfiend on January 14, 2009, 02:06:00 PM
That last statement is sad.
Eh, the article may have been a little slanted, but nevertheless it really sounds as if the Omaha Zoo is a premiere facility and research institution in this country. So, I'm by no means insulted by the analogy.
Yeah - to that point, check their site:
http://www.omahazoo.com/
No, the new exit is for Zoo Parkway (aka Hecksher Drive). Its just been redone and traffic flows much better.
The one thing I did notice is that the main entrance to the zoo is still somewhat hidden. I've alway expected a more eyecatching entryway complete with themed signage.
Themed signage from 95 would be good also but they seem to be doing projects in rapid order so maybe it's coming.
The Jax Zoo is nice for it's size but still seems very small. The jaguars exhibit is the best thing. I haven't been in a few years but the Lowery Park Zoo in Tampa had a terrific manatee exhibit.
Wandering around the Jax Zoo is a great way to spend a few hours, and that's all it takes to see everything . . . and I do not mean this in a bad way. My family and I have been to many zoos around the country when we are on vacation and many of them are overwhelming in size. Even though I think that some of the exhibits could be larger for the animal’s sake, especially after reading about their range in the wild, the Jax Zoo is the perfect size for spending a quality afternoon with your children. Get a membership to the Jax, visit it frequently and also take advantage of the discounts received at affiliate zoos. You’ll be surprised, it doesn’t get old.
Hopefully the Jax Zoo will get a new director that will keep the positive vibe going.
I guess when you don't have a beach to go to, you go to the zoo. Congrats to Omaha for their zoo, but I still think the beach smells better... :)
Jacksonville's Zoo is waaaaay better than Atlanta's Zoo. The Jacksonville Zoo is one of the city's hidden gems IMO, they should hype it up more. Omaha may be better than Jacksonville, and if this is in fact true, That means Omaha has a really nice one.
They should work with the River Taxi(s) & have seasonal service from the Landing and/or hotels.............Yeah, that would be pretty cool.
CSX Train Days
January 17 and 18, 2009
Come and enjoy $1 Zoo train rides all day compliments of:
(http://www.jaxzoo.org/images/CSXwithTaginBrackets_COLORcopy.jpg)
Funny this site would be talking about the zoo right before this weekend.
Quote from: Coolyfett on January 15, 2009, 07:32:16 PM
Jacksonville's Zoo is waaaaay better than Atlanta's Zoo. The Jacksonville Zoo is one of the city's hidden gems IMO, they should hype it up more. Omaha may be better than Jacksonville, and if this is in fact true, That means Omaha has a really nice one.
Agree with that Atlantas zoo sucks. Our zoo is quite nice, could be bigger but the location limits that. The one zoo I was suprised by was Dallas. My wife and I went out for a Dalla/Jaguar game many years ago and ended up spending 4 hours there and didn't realize how much time passed
http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-05-07/story/jacksonville_zoo_names_new_director
The Jacksonville Zoo is really a great place to visit. It doesnt get the credit it deserves as do most nice things and places in Jacksonville. We have a lot to be proud of and the zoo is one of them.
I really like the zoo. I think for its limited size that they do a great job. I do wish it was bigger though. I remember there was a master plan about 10-15 years ago that involved expanding the zoo quite a bit. There were even plans for an indoor penguin habitat.
My gf and I love the zoo, we've talking about getting married there even. I don't think the property size is a limitation to what a zoo can do, just look at the National Zoo in D.C. Here's a progressive idea: hydrofoil ferry service that goes from downtown to the zoo!
I love the zoo. I have a friend from south Florida who insists on going to the zoo every time he is up here. He enjoys it far more than anything they have down south.
Deuce, the river taxi used to have a Zoo stop which was fantastic! I don't know why they canned it though.
The new Asia exibit is great and will only get better as the plant life matures. Everyone should try handfeeding the Koi, they are hilarious! Sounds like they're trying to kiss you while they're sucking the food out of your hands.
The Jacksonville Zoo from yester-year!
(http://www.cardcow.com/images/set219/card00417_fr.jpg)
(http://www.cardcow.com/backs/images/set219/card00417_bk.jpg)
(http://www.cardcow.com/images/set219/card00416_fr.jpg)
(http://www.cardcow.com/backs/images/set219/card00416_bk.jpg)
While we are at it:
(http://www.cardcow.com/images/the-st-augustine-alligator-farm-st-augustine-us-state-town-views-florida-st-augustine-60630.jpg)
(http://www.cardcow.com/backs/images/set86/card00647_bk.jpg)
(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/ZOO%20RAILROAD/zootraintrip.jpg)
Quote from: Jason on May 08, 2009, 11:00:25 AM
Deuce, the river taxi used to have a Zoo stop which was fantastic! I don't know why they canned it though.
The new Asia exhibit is great and will only get better as the plant life matures. Everyone should try handfeeding the Koi, they are hilarious! Sounds like they're trying to kiss you while they're sucking the food out of your hands.
The director left but he really DIDN'T want to go! Honest, trust me, I know him. He told me when he was approached he told them NO! Then they raised the bar on pay and benefits, he told me NO DEAL. He then said he put in an INSANE price for his services, as well as crazy numbers for perks, moving, house, etc... "I thought that would be the end of it," he said. To his and everyone else it was a SHOCK when the Omaha Zoo said, "OKAY! Whatever you want".
Can't blame him but I've got a sick feeling that we just lost another WALT DISNEY, and that is going to hurt us big time.
Also, the Zoo is a lot bigger then you think. They hold or held the option on the land above North Jacksonville Baptist Church on Main Street. The zoo also owns the land up to the ditch on the GATE CONCRETE plant. Everything from Zoo parkway to the Trout River is theirs. I have a project there but it's stalled out due his leaving?
The Jaguar exhibit is right out of "the mind of a Disney," so much so it made me home sick for MEDELLIN! The new exhibits will cover the area of the orient which is partly open, then expand all the way to the Gate boundary. This will almost double the size. I'd love to see a day cruise include the Zoo from downtown, as well as transit right to the front gate. (JTA just cut the Zoo route ON WEEKENDS!). There is MUCH, MUCH, MUCH, more to come and y'all are going to be stunned! As a wise ass critic of my beloved city leadership, I'll confess this is a home run in any teams book. Excellent work. Unreal, Big, Huge, perfection! GO TO THE ZOO you'll be amazed. OCKLAWAHA
Can you give us a hint, Ock? Is it another zoo exhibit? Are the expanding the train out to downtown? Are they building a roller coaster? What, what, what?lol
I'm guessing it is some sort of a transit project. ;) My mind is imagining all kinds of really cool things. I hope Ock isn't setting me up for a let down.