In 23 years working at zoos, Kim Smith has trained elephants, worked with big cats, primates and bears, and managed 90 species of birds.
Since being hired in June as vice president of animal care for the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages the Brookfield Zoo, Smith is still learning about the animals she works with.
| Quick hits Age: 40 Favorite animal: Harris’ hawk Most interesting place she’s traveled for work: Chile Currently working on: Master’s degree in management, Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee Conservation activities: Vice chair of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Humboldt penguin survival plan and liaison to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the piping plover recovery program |
“You just learn about the animal, their native habitats, what their behaviors are and their biology,” the Downers Grove resident said. “You want to make sure that they have a good life, that they’re not stressed.”
Since joining Brookfield Zoo, she has traveled around the country looking at exhibits in Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan for inspiration for Brookfield’s plans to modernize many of its facilities over the next 10 years.
“The zoo community is a very small world,” she said. “You compare notes and communicate very freely.”
One of the first areas to be renovated will be the brown and polar bear exhibits, which were built in the 1930s. She said the current setup is hard to manage for both bears and staff and that the new facilities will integrate 70 years of knowledge about what the animals need to be happy, active and continue the zoo’s successful breeding program. The changes should be in place by 2009.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Arizona State University, Smith began moving up the ranks, starting as a zookeeper. Now she supervises the zoo’s largest department working with 106 zookeepers, six associate curators and two curators.
Other expected updates include renovating the children’s zoo and creating an Americas theme area that will contain birds and reptiles by 2011 or 2012. Smith said zoos typically plan far in advance, especially when they are looking to add new animals that would be bred at other zoos. Brookfield Zoo coordinates with other zoos about breeding and shifting animals around to maintain the size and health of the animal populations in captivity.
One of the greatest challenges in designing new exhibits is striking a balance between the needs of an animal and the public’s desire to see something interesting, Smith said. She said the zoo works to provide toys and activities for the animals during the day to entertain both visitors and the animal residents. Other programs, like keeper chats and the dolphin show, also provide a mix of information and a chance to see animals up close doing natural activities.
“Sometimes we do have to close an exhibit down for the welfare of an animal if we have new animals or babies,” Smith said, “but we do try to keep a balance.”
