Ep4 Karen Fifield on the role of directors and managers in animal welfare, research, and Sunny the giraffe

Today's episode is with Karen Fifield MNZM, the Chief Executive of Wellington Zoo in New Zealand, who shares the philosophy, experiences and insights of the zoo on animal welfare and care. About what leading zoos and aquariums are doing for animal welfare today.

The importance of social media to bring people with us to understand the work we are doing in zoos, as well as the importance of transparent messages, focusing on the visitor experience, and how we can work together with the staff and the public for animals and conservation.

Karen discussed the opportunities we have regarding animal welfare, as well as potential tensions with other goals such as conservation, education, research, and recreation, and animal welfare being the basis and being fundamental to all other programs. And the importance of continuous improvement, to do the research and ask 'Could we do this better?' To be thinking all the time, to do the best we can, to know that we have it right through continuous research, collaborations with experts university, and others to gain insights and have constructive and in-depth conversations. To work together and to have research and information to back up our animal care programs, including designing new habitats.

Karen shares her views on naming animals, their personality, starting from the basis of love, animal's personal stories, like Sunny the giraffe, how storytelling is key, and how together we can do something to make the planet a better place for animals.

Learn more about the Wellington Zoo, connect with the zoo on Facebook, Twitter, wonderful photos on Instagram, and videos on YouTube!

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