A name synonymous with the Rosamond Gifford Zoo for more than three decades has retired. Zoo director Ted Fox started as a volunteer before he was hired as a zookeeper in 1991. He served as collection manager and curator before taking the top post in 2011. The Onondaga County Legislature recently honored his long tenure and numerous accomplishments. They include earning an international reputation as a breeding zoo to ensure the survival of threatened and endangered species. Deputy Clerk Tammy Barber read from the gold seal proclamation.
“And whereas perhaps the biggest achievement was the birth of male Asian elephant twins Yad and Tukada, as twins comprise less than 1% of elephant births worldwide and our twins are the first recorded case of surviving elephant twins in the United States…” Barber recited.
The twins are now nearly three years old. Fox was also instrumental in developing the zoo’s Humboldt penguin exhibit, where more than 50 chicks have been born since 2005. His work has earned the zoo a highly coveted accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, meaning it meets the highest standards of animal care, conservation, education, and guest experience. Fox also oversaw the design and construction of the animal health center, as well as several environmentally friendly features.
Here's a transcript of his remarks to lawmakers as Fox accepted his gold seal.
"Thank you to everyone in this room. The evolution of zoos has been remarkable. And I'm I'm so happy to have been part of watching that happen. The [clerk] mentioned that we're one of 100 and or 238 accredited zoos in the country. For a community this size, that's a pretty remarkable thing. We have a relatively small zoo, but we have such a good reputation in the accredited zoo world, especially with the Animal Health Center. I bet we've toured that 15 times and they've asked for the blueprints and they want to create the same place. Even Cornell University, the dean of that school who I've known for years, he came up, and they want to duplicate the same thing.
"Without the people in this room, though none of this would have been possible, and the support of the community. I've been in this room many times with hard conversations, and it's just amazing to me that the community does get behind it and recognize from the lower levels of education to the really important research that we're doing. We are in the study for the EHV, the elephant herpes virus which has killed so many elephants around the country and in the wild, and we were one of six institutions that were asked to be involved in that research to develop this vaccine which we're trialing on the twins.
"People come to the zoo and they have a great time and it's a great place to make memories with your families, especially with little kids. But we do so much more and we continue to do more. And it's it's just been an amazing ride for me. I appreciate the county. I appreciate the Friends of the Zoo, certainly all of the legislators. Everyone supporting and coming to the zoo is making it what it is today. The staff in particular, that's a dedication. Nobody is making a million dollars being a zookeeper and and taking care of the animals, and it's so important. It's such a great dedicated group of people and it's an amazing place to be. Thank you all and appreciate this very much."
The county is conducting a national search for the next zoo director.
