Speakers: Tom Stalf, C.O.O. and Interim C.E.O. on "What's New at the Zoo?"

Posted by Michael Blackwell

on Sep 13, 2012

In one of the most entertaining of our speakers series, Tom Stalf visited Dublin A.M. Rotary to discuss what's new at the zoo. He was joined by animal handlers Whitney and Beth and a cast of amazing animals including, in the photo at left being held by our own Rita Hook, a joey--a baby Gray Kangaroo. Other animals included the Kit Fox, a light-weight, big eared resident of the Sahara that subsists on an omnivorous diet featuring scorpions as the main course; America's only marsupial, the Opossum; a Black-footed Penguin, also known as the Jackass Penguin because of its raucous cry; a lynx; the rare and beautiful Snow Leopard.

Click here to be taken to the Dublin A.M. Rotary Flikr Photostream to see more pictures of the visitors. Many thanks to Roberta Kayne for taking pictures! Skip a few photos if you want to get right to pictures of Tom, Whitney, Beth, and the critters.

In this video (click here if viewing in an email), Rita Hook introduces Tom, who has a most impressive list of accomplishments leading up to his fine work at our #1 nationally ranked zoo. Tom currently lives on a farm near Ostrander with his wife Colleen, their two young children Kylee and Brendan, and a host of farm animals.

In this clip (click here if viewing in email), Tom discusses why he went to work in zoos, why zoos paradoxically are so very crucial for maintaining the life of wild animals as we know them in nature, and how Columbus Zoo in particular is fostering conservation efforts that help people live in ways that alow animals to be protected and even viewed as an important resource.

Here (click to see if viewing in email) Tom answers the question of why anyone would want to see an animal in a cage.

Tom introduces the Snow Leopard (click here if viewing via email). The Snow Leopard is amazingly beautiful but this one might have been awakened a bit too early. it has a grouchy moment. :-)

Here (click here if viewing in Club email) Tom discusses the Gray Kangaroo, which is sort of the the "white-tailed deer of Australia."

In this clip (click if viewing in email), Tom begins discussing the new African Safari exhibit at the zoo, which will open in 2014 and bring 70 additional types of animal. He also introduces the striking Siberian Lynx.

Here Tom provides more details about the Africa Exhibit, how Columbus Zoo strives to be more interactive than most zoos, the Jack Hannah presence in the exhibit. It is going to be an outstanding addition to the experience. He also discusses the Wilds, a part of Columbus Zoo by Zanesville. He concludes with a discussion of how Columbus Zoo is making a difference for people and animals here and throughout the world.

Tom, Beth, and Whitney did an outstanding job entertaining while explaining the reason why the zoo helps the world as much as it helps our local economy while it educates our children. We're fortunate to have such a world class facility only a few miles away. Thanks to Rita Hook for working to bring an entertaining and educational speaker to Dublin A.M.

The Kit Fox, who is plainly thinking as follows: "Why does this guy have a camera in my face? It's too early to be awake--I'm nocturnal, darn it! All these people and not one of them gave me a tasty scorpion or even a piece of bacon. See if I ever come back to Rotary again!"