Dr. Jeremy Goodman is the executive director of the Rhode Island Zoological Society and Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence. Goodman is leading the development of a 20-year master plan and strategic initiatives plan enhancing the organization’s work in both conservation and environment education. Formerly, Goodman was the director and veterinarian at Turtle Back Zoo in New Jersey and played a similar role at the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Ind. Goodman received his doctor of veterinary medicine from Tufts University Veterinary School and his bachelor’s degree in animal science from Rutgers University.
PBN: From where was the $200,000 commitment by retail company Ivory Ella for local elephant conservation programming at the zoo, born?
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GOODMAN: Roger Williams Park Zoo, managed by the Rhode Island Zoological Society, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are fortunate to engage [with] a very active development department, which seeks out corporate partners. We work with both national and local corporations and businesses to help further our mission.
When we approached Ivory Ella, we knew they were committed to helping elephants and we designed our partnership around that.
PBN: How will the funds be used?
GOODMAN: We will utilize the funds from Ivory Ella to take the best care of our elephants, support conservation efforts and educate the public about the plight of elephants.
PBN: How many African elephants call the Roger Williams Zoo home and what are their personalities like?
GOODMAN: We have three female African elephants at the zoo – Kate, Ginny and Alice – each with their own, very distinct personalities. Kate is the matriarch, and definitely the boss of the group, Ginny is extremely motivated to please and Alice is the quickest learner and the first to try new things.
PBN: Is the zoo likely to take in any more African elephants or elephants from another part of the world?
GOODMAN: Elephants are very social animals and live in unique social structures. In a zoo, these family units include not only the elephants but the keepers who care for them as well. The zoo has a very stable herd right now and we are not planning on making any changes.
PBN: What can concerned people do to help support elephant conservation on a local scale?
GOODMAN: Elephants are disappearing from this planet because of human obsession with ivory. Over 96 African elephants are killed every day for the ivory trade. As a consumer, never purchase products that are made with ivory, even if it’s labeled as antique or non-elephant ivory. Until the demand for all ivory is stopped, elephants will not be safe. Visiting and supporting the Roger Williams Park Zoo helps us educate people about these amazing creatures and benefits our partners in the field who are working to save elephants in the wild.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
