Our guest this week is Tim Morrow, president and chief executive officer of the San Antonio Zoo. Starting his career in themed entertainment as Aquatics Supervisor at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Tim quickly moved up the managerial ranks when he transitioned to Sea World Parks and Entertainment, first as Supervisor, Director, and then Vice President of Park Operations for Aquatica. While serving the San Antonio Zoo as its chief executive, Tim continues to serve our own San Antonio Spurs as a Courtside Statistician.
Tim holds Associates Degrees from San Antonio College in Law Enforcement and Correctional Science, as well as a Bachelors Degree in Sociology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Tim currently serves as the Chairman of the San Antonio Tourism Council, as well as a board member for the International Elephant Foundation, the UTSA Alumni Association, the Zoo Conservation Outreach Group, the Texas Travel Industry Association, and the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.
“San Antonio Zoo® is operated by San Antonio Zoological Society, is a non-profit organization committed to securing a future for wildlife. Through its passion and expertise in animal care, conservation, and education, the zoo’s mission is to inspire its community to love, engage with, act for and protect animals and the places they live. The zoo welcomes more than a million visitors each year and is open year-round. San Antonio Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Zoological Association of America, and Humane Certified by American Humane.”
“San Antonio’s first zoo consisted of a collection of animals assembled in San Pedro Park in the 1800s. In 1914, Colonel George W. Brackenridge, one of the city’s leading citizens and founder of the San Antonio Express-News, placed buffalo, elk, deer, monkeys, a pair of lions, and four bears on land he had deeded over to the city in what is now known as Brackenridge Park. This collection became the San Antonio Zoo.”
“In November 1929, two of the first cageless exhibits in America–the Barless Bear Terraces and the Primate Paradise–opened, offering visitors unprecedented views of animals. When the Richard Friedrich Aquarium was dedicated in 1948, it was described in the local press as “the world’s greatest.” The Hixon Bird House, funded through the efforts of Colonel Frederick C. Hixon, opened in 1966, featuring a simulated tropical rain forest and free-flying birds. The zoo’s bird collection is now one of the world’s largest.“
“The zoo is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is home to a wide variety of animals representing 750 species on 56 acres, of which 34 acres are public pathways. More than 1,000,000 guests visit the San Antonio Zoo annually – 13,155 of those being children participating in education programs and 80,000 school children coming on field trips.” – From SAZoo.org
In this episode, Kevin and Melissa talk Tim Morrow, president and CEO of the San Antonio Zoo. Together, they discuss the mission of the @SAZoo and developments under Tim’s leadership, as well as the big changes yet to come. From a parking garage and jaguar “roller coaster” to expanded exhibits and a new location for Kiddie Land — don’t miss this episode!
Contact the San Antonio Zoo
* San Antonio Zoo3903 N. St. Mary’s StreetSan Antonio, TX 78212-3199Phone (210) 734-7184
* Email: Information@SAZoo.
