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Perspective
SLOW LORIS
By Stuart D. Strahl, Ph.D.
President & CEO
When the Chicago Zoological Society opened Research shows that from the moment our fascination is captured by
Brookfield Zoo on a mild summer day in June an animal, we forge an innate bond and empathy with nature that leads
1934, founding president John McCutcheon to conservation action. The field of conservation psychology—founded
said, “I think we can count on human nature here at the Chicago Zoological Society and charged with studying people’s
as our ally … we know from experience that emotional response to nature—demonstrates how building passionate
securely planted within the human breast is connections between people and animals is vital to creating a conservation
a deep abiding interest in animals.” Ours is a movement that can effect real change. For this reason, zoos and aquariums
changing world, but zoos and aquariums are are the ideal places for creating such connections. See the story on page 28
as relevant as they were when McCutcheon for some of the many ways we in particular are using technology and onsite
uttered those prophetic words nearly 83 and offsite programming to engaging our guests beyond a zoo visit.
years ago. Today, these institutions serve as
a critically important community resource As we struggle to find solutions to issues such as climate change, water
where an interest in animals can lead to pollution, and habitat destruction, we sometimes forget that our future and
a relationship with the natural world that the future of all living creatures are intrinsically related. Zoos and aquariums
benefits both people and the creatures with help us understand this. They educate people about species that are in
whom we share the planet. danger of disappearing and connect them to these creatures’ wild habitats.
Our doors open to a world where anyone of any ability can see an Amur
leopard, touch a wallaby, marvel at a polar bear, learn about their habitats,
and discover how to help.
While most of us will never see exotic species such as these in the
wild, I promise that a visit to Brookfield Zoo or any institution with living
animals will leave you moved by our shared need to save and nurture a world
where all living things can thrive.
BROOKFIELD ZOO | SPRING 2017 5
