Zoo Midland Director Jason Green discusses his position and inspirations for Zoo Midland in an interview with Midland Times.
MT: Did you know as a kid you wanted to work with animals?
I grew up on a 1,000-acre horse and cattle ranch. I’ve worked with animals since I was a kid. We had dogs, chickens, cows, horses–all sorts of animals on the ranch. In high school I was in FFA and worked for an equine vet until I graduated and then attended Kentucky Horseshoeing School.
While doing some blacksmithing and attending college, I met someone who recommended that I apply at Busch Gardens in Tampa in the zoo department. It was supposed to be just a summer job, but I ended up staying over 31 years. It was a happy accident that I greatly enjoyed.
MT: How did you pivot to working with exotic animals?
I have always had a fascination for animals, but my favorite, since I was little, has been rhinos.
Sometimes, you just don’t believe you could work with rhinos or tigers–it just feels fantastical. It didn't seem like a possibility to work with those types of animals, but once it became a possibility for me, I was captivated.
I was fortunate to be at a zoo where I could gain a tremendous amount of experience and exposure from its diverse population of animals and their dynamic facility. I was even able to travel all over the United States and parts of the world to see other zoological facilities.
MT: What responsibilities will you take on as zoologist at Zoo Midland?
I will be directing the zoological operations and developments for the facility. We will utilize several different zoological associations’ guidelines and best practices, while incorporating state and federal regulations.
These regulations vary based on species. We have to take into account recommended and necessary items to incorporate into the display's design. This can range from the size of mesh, height of fence, even determining the percentage of water that should be present within a certain habitat. It's vital to make sure the facility is safe for the animals, our guests, and employees to have it all align with our first priority, which is high-quality animal care.
Planning and developing a zoo is like planning and building a home, only on a much greater scale. We are designing layer upon layer, starting very big and working our way down to the tiniest of detail.
MT: What is your vision for Zoo Midland?
I see Zoo Midland becoming an aspect of Midland for residents to be proud of, to enjoy, and as a way to enrich life. We want the zoo to create a sense of community and become a family destination for people of all ages to experience amazing animals, learn how to be better stewards of the planet, and have fun with each other. The zoo will provide learning opportunities for visitors, and we are excited to plan these out and to optimize those experiences.
MT: What animals can visitors expect to see at the new zoo?
There is a lot that can happen from now until opening, but we are planning to have giraffes, rhinos, a couple of predators like hyenas, wild dogs, and jaguars, several species of primates, and ambassador animals that are trained to come out and get up-close with guests, such as snakes and birds. I’m also really excited about a butterfly garden and a unique space to see the small animals like bugs, reptiles, and such that don't always get appreciated.
A lot is planned in terms of the animals. We are prioritizing the individual species’ needs and matching them here with the unique climate and environment here in Midland.
MT: Will there be programs for those in the community who want to be involved with the zoo?
We are planning some exciting programs to promote educational experiences where children can get involved and eventually leave the zoo with new knowledge of wildlife. I love the moments where you get to watch a child who is seeing a giraffe for the first time. Witnessing the excitement on children's faces is a wonderful experience, so to foster that opportunity for them is incredible and important to all of us behind Zoo Midland.