Heart of the Zoo: How San Diego Zoo Director Chuck Bieler Earned His Stripes

This book tells the extraordinary story of how Chuck Bieler "earned his stripes" at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. With inside stories and humorous details, it captures his tireless efforts to help create an international conservation organization where all wildlife thrives. In the 1970s, a new era of zoos dawned as the world became aware of the challenges facing wildlife. To help save shrinking habitats and endangered wildlife populations, zoos had to evolve from their role as living museums to centers of conservation. At the forefront of this seismic shift stood an unlikely hero: Chuck Bieler. THE ORIGINAL WILDLIFE ALLY As executive director emeritus of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Chuck Bieler guided the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park through unprecedented challenges–notably, with the support of his beloved wife, Judy. During his five-decade tenure, Chuck built connections with the local community and his Zoo family, cemented relationships with important donors, c