Page 41 - Impact Report 2017

In Passing

The Chicago Zoological Society was saddened at the passing of Dr. George Rabb,
former President of the Society, in 2017.

Dr. Rabb passionately served the Society for nearly 50
years from 1956 until his retirement in 2004, at which
time he was appointed President Emeritus. During his
tenure, the Society developed innovative approaches to
the science of animal care and welfare, education, and
conservation, and Brookfield Zoo enjoyed unprecedented
revitalization of its exhibits and dramatic expansion of
zoo membership and attendance. Without question,
Dr. Rabb was one of the world’s leading conservationists
and, as President Emeritus, continued to drive change
and pursue important global conservation work in
amphibian conservation and other critical issues.

His pioneering, collaborative work in developing the
field of conservation psychology was incorpo-
rated into many exhibits, most notably Hamill
Family Play Zoo, and led Brookfield Zoo to its
position as a leading conservation center among
zoos. In addition, his work led to the eventual
establishment of what are known today as the
Society’s two Centers of Excellence: the Center
for the Science of Animal Care and Welfare and
the Center for Conservation Leadership.
Over his career, Dr. Rabb gained prominence
globally as a conservation leader. He published
widely on many topics, such as behavioral devel-
opment in okapi, social behavior in captive wolf
packs, and breeding behavior of pipid frogs.
He founded the Declining Amphibian Popula-
tions Task Force and continued to be active in

amphibian conservation issues with the Amphibian Survival
Alliance and the Amphibian Ark. A species of frog dis-
covered in 2005 was named in honor of him and his wife,
Mary Rabb, for their lifetime work as conservationists
and herpetologists. In addition, The Chicago Zoological
Society's George B. Rabb Conservation Medal is named
for him.

Dr. Rabb will be best remembered for his caring ethic;
his deep concern and advocacy for animals, people, and the
environment; and his unwavering energy and commitment
to making a difference for the natural world.

George B. Rabb, pictured with an okapi (middle) and with a Rabb’s fringe-limbed treefrog
(bottom), a species named after Rabb and his wife, Mary.

CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | ANNUAL IMPACT REVIEW 39