WCS Annual Report 2012 - Wildlife Conservation Society

Children believe they
can save the world.
It’s our job to give them
the information, tools,
and experiences to help
them try.
was female. You can’t tell from physical inspection
with a newly hatched chick, but a DNA test later
confirmed it. She’s quite a hit with our course
participants and zoo visitors. She hatched on
May 19, 2011 at the Central Park Zoo. Today
she weighs over 100 pounds, is as sweet as can
be, and is quite the crowd pleaser. Having a fullgrown
emu walk into a classroom is a rare and
amazing sight! Kevin is an invaluable resource
when discussing all things aves (birds). She is a
very unique emu and it’s astonishing how bonded
she is to her keepers and people in general.
What are students most surprised to discover
about the wildlife they encounter?
I think people are most surprised when seeing
the unique relationship that exists between
the animal and the educator or keeper. Besides
learning about the natural history of the animal,
course participants are also very interested in the
individual animal’s history: its background, its
likes and dislikes. Details like these make the
experience very personal and many of our visitors
see animals as sentient beings for the first time in
their lives.
Do animal encounters leave a lasting
impression on students?
Yes, a huge one! Children especially have such
an innate fondness for nature. It is so empowering
to help build upon that and make them feel
that they can protect the animals that they have
come to learn and care so much about.
What new ideas, feelings, or perspectives
do you hope students gain after visiting
the zoo?
Caring, interest, wonder, and empathy. So many
adults have developed a feeling of helplessness
– a “well, there’s not much I can do” attitude.
It’s sad. Children really believe they can save the
world. It’s our job to give them the information,
tools, and experiences to help them try.
What do animals teach us?
They can teach us so much – we just need to
observe. Care, compassion, trust. Animals
don’t judge.
Could you describe the most memorable
event from 2012?
I may be a little biased on this one. The opening
of the new Animal Ambassador Center is definitely
at the top of my list. It was a great day
when we moved these guys into their new digs!
What makes you passionate about
your job?
Every morning I am greeted by an incredibly
diverse and amazing group of animals and the
equally eclectic staff that helps care for them.
It’s never boring. It’s a great feeling to know
that while working with these animals, we are
enriching their lives along with the experiences
of students and guests.
What is your greatest wildlife moment
during your time with WCS?
There are so many. My favorite times are when
we receive animals from other zoos or rehab
facilities. Sometimes these animals were deemed
“unworkable,” aggressive, or just not appropriate
for a teaching program. I hate labels. It’s a
wonderful feeling when, after spending time
with these animals, they begin to trust you. It’s
an amazing experience each time you can form
a bond with an animal. Often, these guys – like
our Indian crested porcupine, our two-toed
sloth, and our pied crow – become favorites with
our staff and in our programs.
What is your proudest achievement?
Being part of this team and able to represent the
Wildlife Conservation Society. I am very proud
to be part of an organization that does so much
to save wildlife locally and around the globe.
[ opposite ] Bronx Zoo
Collections Manager
Kathleen LaMattina with
Stickers the porcupine.
[ above ] The Bronx Zoo’s
Program Animal collection
helps visiting students
develop both empathy
and wonder for animals.
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Q&A: Kathleen LaMattina