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Minn. Zoo director on the future of zoos

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Close, but not too close
Russia's Grizzly Coast at Minnesota Zoo allows visitors to get very close to the animals, but not dangerously close.
MPR photo/Tom Weber

Lee Ehmke, director and CEO of the Minnesota Zoo, was named the new president of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums last month.

"As the future of wildlife and wild places becomes increasingly uncertain, the collective work of zoos and aquariums is more critical than ever," Ehmke said in a statement. "International cooperation on species survival and in situ [in nature] conservation, the sharing of best practices and representation of the zoo/aquarium community in global conservation forums are all roles facilitated well by WAZA."

Ehmke joins The Daily Circuit to discuss the future of the Minnesota Zoo and the role that zoos around the world are going to play as animal habitat continues to shrink.

Gallery
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Zookeeper Pete Lee
Daisy, one of Como Zoo's three giraffes, looks down at zookeeper Pete Lee as he holds a lettuce leaf for her Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012. Lee said Daisy prefers rye crackers over lettuce. "Giraffes, as all hoof stock, have eyes on the side of their head. The trade-off is they have almost no depth perception. You need two eyes for that. It's why they're easily startled. So when they're looking at you they turn their head to the side."
MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson
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Close, but not too close
Russia's Grizzly Coast at Minnesota Zoo allows visitors to get very close to the animals, but not dangerously close.
MPR photo/Tom Weber
2 of 7
Lunch time
The exhibit at the Minnesota Zoo features a stream and pond where the bears can try to nab live fish.
Courtesy Bob Cole, Minnesota Zoo