Kevin Buley, Auckland Zoo’s director, has worked in the zoo industry for nearly 25 years. “A good modern zoo is more relevant than ever,” he says. “Zoos on their own are not going to save wildlife and save this planet, but the people that visit zoos, the people that connect with good zoos will.”
He started his career as a reptile and amphibian keeper at Jersey Zoo before becoming the head of its world-renowned herpetology department. In 2002, Buley moved to Chester Zoo, the UK’s largest and most successful visitor attraction outside of London. There, he worked as head of zoo programmes. He became Auckland Zoo’s deputy director and head of life sciences in 2010, playing a pivotal role in the growth and success of the institution. He was responsible for establishing the zoo’s life sciences department as one of the world’s greatest. He has built a team of international experts in wildlife management, field conservation, veterinary medicine, science, research and education.
Auckland Zoo works with New Zealand’s Department of Conservation to help actively save many bird, reptile and invertebrate species from extinction. Speaking to blooloop about the importance of ‘good zoos’, he said: “It is the 10 percent that put their money where their mouth is. They are genuine advocates for conservation, and they connect people with wildlife. They are involved in conservation, breeding and reintroduction programs.
“These zoos get their staff out into the wild using that skill set, to do biological or social science research. Where you have those zoos delivering in that way, as Auckland Zoo is doing in New Zealand, it makes a real difference to wildlife.”
“A good zoo has to be delivering on conservation. And you can expect the animals in the care of that zoo to have a better life, in many ways, than their counterparts in the wild. That’s significant,” he added.