On this episode of Neuts World, my love for animals goes back to my childhood.

In fact, in 1954, at the age of 11, I gave a speech to the city council in my hometown

in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania about why Harris was born near the zoo.

Much to my mother's surprise and my father's irritation, the story was picked up by the

associate oppress and received a bunch of attention.

New was August, there wasn't much news, and 11-year-old Stockland City Council was considered

pretty cool.

At that point on, I was really considering becoming a zoo director or a herpetologist.

I really loved animals, and I've always had a great love for zoos and for animals in

general.

And one of the greatest zoos in the world is the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington,

DC.

They're perhaps best known for their giant panda program, but there is so much more to

see, I recommend everybody, when they come to Washington, that they take the time to

go to the National Zoo.

So you can imagine how pleased I am to welcome my guest, Dr. Brandy Smith.

She is the director of the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

Thank you for joining me on this world.

Thank you so much for having me.

I mentioned my childhood fascination with zoos.

I'm very curious about yours.

How did you end up being involved with animals?

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