For Birgit/Simba

Mark has spent over 35 years caring for the animals at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, IL. He counts elephants and lions among his close friends and has been involved in preserving the zoo's rich history.
His zoo career began at the Children's Zoo and over the years he learned his profession as an animal keeper, zoologist, assistant curator and curator of mammals. He ended his long association with animals holding the endowed chair as the Abra Prentice Wilken Curator. Presently, Mark holds the title of Curator Emeritus.
Mark has authored 2 children's books, and over 50 scientific and numerous popular articles. The University of Illinois Press has published his book on the history of the Lincoln Park Zoo entitled Ark In The Park.
Over the years he has taught zoo management in the People's Republic of China, Guatemala, Japan and Mexico. His travels have taken him to Africa leading tours to Uganda, Botswana, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Kenya. He has also escorted animals to and from Lincoln Park Zoo. Lions coming from the Kapama Game Reserve in South Africa, Spectacled bears going to a zoo in Venezuela or bringing a family of gorillas to Disney's Animal Kingdom were all part of the job.
Presently he is working on a unique project with the Pittsburgh Zoo to record on video the animal stories of retired zoo and aquarium directors for future generations of historians and zoo professionals.

www.zoomemories.wordpress.com

I just received this email and link above from my friend Mark Rosenthal:

For all of you who might have an interest or know of someone who might have an interest...I started a blog talking about the many, many zoo stories from Lincoln Park...this blog stuff is all new to me but I am trying to figure it out as I go...

Let me know your thoughts...I know I have a lot to figure out...it is indeed a work in progress

enjoy

Mark

Birgit, this is the person who could probably answer all of you question's about the Lincoln Park Zoo Polar Bears. I am grateful Mark has decided to take on the awesome task of manning a blog. The knowledge and insight he has to share on zoo keeping and Lincoln Park Zoo will be immeasurable. There is a great story on his blog about Pat Sass long time Great Ape Supervisor at LPZ. A day spent sitting around the campfire with Pat Sass and Carmen Hall listening to them talk "monkey" was indeed a day not to be forgotten.