On this episode of Nutsworld, I've been in love with animals all of my life, and I enjoy

going to zoos all over the world. In fact, one of my original childhood goals was to be

a zoo director. I've been fortunate enough to visit some of the most incredible zoos as

well as go on Safari in Africa. I can fast that before I decided on a public service, I was

going to be either a zoo director or a vertebrate paleontologist, but I ended up just trying

to work on the country's problems. But my guest today considered a career in public service,

we almost swapped, and then he became a zoo director. But he's much more than that. We were

fortunate enough to meet years ago when Dr. Terry Maple became president and CEO of Zoo Atlanta

in 1984 under Mayor Andrew Young. He then went on to lead the Palm Beach Zoo. At the time Dr. Maple

took over Zoo Atlanta in 1984, the zoo had become, quote, a national disgrace following the

mysterious death of an elephant uncovered in a shallow grave in North Carolina. Twinkles of

the elephant became the poster packet arm for zoo mismanagement, and it was then that Mayor Young

turned to Dr. Maple. What Dr. Maple was able to do with Zoo Atlanta was nothing short of remarkable.

He's the author of 14 books including one I co-authored with him entitled A Contract with the

Earth. He has a new book he's working on now coming out this September, which describes the

incredible story of Willy B. Sentitled Atlanta's iconic ape The Life of Willy B. I'm pleased to

welcome my guest Dr. Terry Maple. Terry, thank you for joining me. I wanted to do this episode

because I wanted to emphasize how important I think zoos are for society and frankly make the case

of why zoos matter. You have been one of the leading advocates of the importance of zoos.

Both as a place that families go to as a place that practices conservation and as a center of

education. Did you talk to us for a minute or two about the degree to which zoos really, really matter?

Well, their educational function is tremendous if the school systems take advantage of it.

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