Interview #3 is with Mark Reed, Executive Director of the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas. Among other prestigious accolades, Mark is a former President of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and has lead Sedgwick since 1991.  Mark graciously gave me an extensive tour of every part of the zoo, proudly showing off the wonderful place he’s built.  Having never visited before, I was stunned at the animal collection and quality exhibits for lions, tigers, gorillas, penguins, and birds in a 32 year old rain forest.

Memorial Day Weekend is widely considered to be the beginning of “zoo season” and Sedgwick started it off with a bang.  Slawson Family Tiger Trek, opened May 22nd, brought tigers back to the zoo after a 10 plus year gap.  Red pandas and rare Eld’s deer are tiger neighbors.  Trek is another great addition to Sedgwick, a truly amazing zoo in an unlikely place.

Mark and I discuss:

• the unique features of Tiger Trek
• how the economic downturn has affected the zoo
• the importance of community support and how it has led to Sedgwick’s success
• Mark’s involvement in AZA
• future projects at Sedgwick…..and more!

From an elevated boardwalk, visitors can see the larger of the 2 tiger habitats and one for deer

Tigers may be the main attraction, but this red panda has been a huge hit in Wichita

Sedgwick has a long boat ride passing North American and African animals, including this pelican island.

Inside the Jungle, a colony of fruit bats dangles above visitors.

An otter mom was busy teaching her four pups how to swim.