Zoo restructures behavioral-husbandry roles to meet accreditation standards

The Milwaukee County Zoo asked the county personnel committee to reorganize a portion of its animal-care staff to strengthen oversight and meet Association of Zoos & Aquariums accreditation expectations.

Vera Westfall, deputy zoo director, introduced Tracy Dolphin, director of animal management and health, who said the proposal would abolish a vacant "curator, behavioral husbandry and ambassador animals" position and create a new "coordinator, behavioral husbandry" role while reclassifying two assistant curator slots. Dolphin said the change would "elevate oversight of the family farm and expand ambassador animal programs," aligning staffing to the zoo’s strategic plan and accreditation standards. The written request was also described as increasing dedicated leadership for the behavioral-husbandry program.

Supervisor Cox Jones moved adoption of the item; the committee recommended the personnel change by a 4-0 vote. The file had been referred to the Committee on Finance as well.