6 Just some of the Detroit Zoo’s habitats include the Cotton Family Wolf Wilderness, which debuted in 2015 and is home to gray wolves; the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery, home to butterflies and birds located inside the Zoo’s oldest historical building; the National Amphibian Conservation Center, which was recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in 2002 with a National Exhibit Award; the Arctic Ring of Life, which debuted in 2001 as the largest polar bear habitat in North America; and the Polk Penguin Conservation Center, a 33,000-square-foot penguin habitat that received the 2017 Exhibit Award from the AZA. More recent additions include the Holtzman Wildlife Foundation Red Panda Forest, which underwent a major expansion in 2018 to provide a larger environment that ensures the red pandas’ overall well-being, and the 2019 Devereaux Tiger Forest, a 1-acre habitat that includes elevated vantage points, open spaces, wooded areas and more. Though the Detroit Zoo has been focused on animal well-being since its establishment, Reed says he has seen the Zoo come a long way and improve over his 36 years at the DZS. “I think the biggest change since I started is that zoos used to be all about the numbers — the number of animals you had, the number of tickets sold. Zoos were all about entertainment,” Reed says. “Today, we look at numbers differently. It’s not about the number of people you can entertain; it’s about the number of animal species you can save, the number of habitats you can conserve.” The shift in AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums to be more animal well-being and conservationfocused has been intentional. In recent years, organizations around the world have implemented sustainability and conservation initiatives that preserve wild animal habitats and populations, as well as welfare programs that use data and research to determine animal care best practices. The DZS has long been a leader in these areas. DZS initiatives include eliminating the sale of singleuse water bottles and plastic bags on its campuses, planting trees throughout metro Detroit, establishing collaborative programs to save species like red pandas and piping plovers from extinction, working with partners to protect the Amazon rainforest and much more. CEO Dr. Murphy believes animal welfare, conservation, education, research and community engagement are critical to the planet’s future and that the DZS will continue to prioritize these things as the organization moves into the future. “The DZS is a forward-thinking organization, and we are always looking for innovative ways to live out our mission to create meaningful connections between people, animals and the natural world so all can thrive,” she says. “The Detroit Zoo’s history is filled with amazing stories, triumphs and care for wildlife and wild places. I’m thrilled to be able to lead this organization and help ensure the Zoo’s next 95 years strengthen its already strong legacy.” No matter what the DZS does next, Reed knows the legacy of the Detroit Zoo is secured in the smiles of the children and families who visit each day. “The best part of my job is seeing the appreciation and happiness in people’s faces when they are here,” Reed says. “I love that everyone — our staff, our guests, our diverse community — is a part of our story.” PICTURED IS MIKE REED
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