WCS Annual Report 2012 - Wildlife Conservation Society

Whenever possible,
we try to conduct studies
that benefit both our
park animals and their
counterparts in the wild.
What is the most important function of
zoos today?
Zoos must educate people about wildlife. Our
visitors should learn not only about the biology
and behavior of the species they see, but also
about the threats they face and what can be
done to ameliorate those threats. Zoos should
also inspire visitors to care about nature, and
encourage them to help protect wildlife.
How do the curators at WCS’s New York
City parks work together?
We have a diverse, talented, and expert staff that
works cooperatively across our five parks, meeting
twice weekly to discuss issues related to our
animals. WCS also has a unified collection plan
that provides key data on more than 1,250 species
– including censuses, population targets, and
future goals – and identifies the role each species
plays in our parks. This unified plan enables our
individual parks to manage their collections at
a facility level, while allowing for the integrated
management of species across our four zoos
and aquarium.
What keeps you passionate about
your work?
I’ve been with WCS for over 33 years, and I can
think of no better place to work than the Bronx
Zoo. Part of what makes my job so appealing
is the unlimited opportunity to learn. We have
such a large and diverse animal collection, and
our staff has great expertise in a wide range of
fields. You are constantly exposed to new and
different experiences.
What events stood out for you at the
Bronx Zoo in 2012?
One was the reintroduction of Kihansi spray toads,
a species declared extinct in the wild, to their native
habitat in Tanzania. The Bronx Zoo played a
major role in saving the Kihansi toad. Our herpetology
department labored for the past 10 years
to perfect this species’ propagation. Working
with the Toledo Zoo, we were able to breed
enough toads to send back to the Kihansi Gorge.
Another 2012 highlight was the first successful
birth of a calf with pure American bison genes
through embryo transfer. WCS has a long history
in conserving American bison, and is now focused
on its ecological restoration. Because so many
bison have interbred with cattle, we are looking
to create herds of pure-bred American bison
at the Bronx and Queens Zoos by rescuing
embryos from pure bison and implanting them
in surrogate cow bison, which then give birth to
American bison calves.
What inspired you to go into the
conservation field?
I’ve been fascinated with wild animals for as
long as I can remember. When I was 11 years
old I read an article by George Schaller [then
a field biologist for the New York Zoological
Society, as WCS was previously known] in
National Geographic highlighting his work
with African lions. From that moment on, I
knew I wanted to work with wildlife. When
WCS hired me in 1979, I was thrilled to be
working at the wonderful Bronx Zoo and to
be part of the same conservation organization
as my childhood idol. I can still remember the
thrill I felt when l received a phone call from
George asking me a question about a snow
leopard - it was like receiving a call from
Bruce Springsteen!
What is your proudest achievement?
I’m so proud to be a member of the WCS team
of curators, managers, animal care staff, and
veterinarians. This incredible team continuously
tries to advance the high quality care we provide
to our animals, conducts studies to expand our
knowledge in order to benefit our animals and
their wild cousins, and provides opportunities to
train the next generation of zoo professionals.
[ opposite ] Pat Thomas
with a bison herd in
Genesee Park, Colorado.
[ above ] Snow leopard
Leo thrives at the Bronx
Zoo after his arrival from
Pakistan as an orphaned
cub in 2006.
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Q&A: Pat thomas