Harrison Edell is chief mission officer and executive vice president of Animal Care and Conservation at Dallas Zoo, which regularly ranks as one of the top 10 zoos in the US. Here, he leads on all aspects of animal husbandry, as well as championing the guest experience and educational impact of the organisation.
Edell has been at Dallas Zoo since 2014. Prior to this he was General Curator at Sacramento Zoo, supervising the care for over 110 species, and Curator of Birds at San Francisco Zoo.
He has supported the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) across a number of roles, including contributions to the Species Survival Program and the Animal Population Management Committee, and as Taxon Advisory Group Chair for Ciconiiformes, Phoenicopteriformes, and Pelecaniformes species.
With the AZA, Edell has made significant contributions to population development projects. By fostering relationships with a wide network of zoos, including those in US and Europe, he has enabled stronger collaborations and enhanced population management worldwide.
One person who nominated Edell said: “Harrison is an exceptional individual whose unwavering passion and unparalleled drive have had a profound impact on AZA’s cooperatively managed Animal Programs and has served as a champion of young zoo professionals interested in population management.”
They continued, “Harrison’s personality and character make him a natural mentor, and his dedication to mentoring the next generation of zoo leaders is exemplary. He invests time in nurturing early-career zoo staff, inspiring them to become involved in AZA’s cooperative breeding programs,” and concluded “Harrison Edell embodies the qualities of an influential leader who has made substantial contributions to the field of zoo population management.”
Another commented: “Harrison has a thorough understanding of zoos and aquariums as well as a rapport with people that is inspiring. […] he has made significant contributions to zoo population management.”