“You don’t know what you don’t know.”
My lovely bride of 40+ years and I were born into a generation that, in many ways, simply didn’t know better. Like so many others, we accepted much of what we were taught about wildlife, zoos, and conservation without fully understanding the realities behind the experiences we enjoyed and supported.
It wasn’t until we chose to pivot from careers in the corporate world and began volunteering and working at both our local zoo in Tampa, FL that was accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and an exotic big cat sanctuary accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) that we had the opportunity to see the world of captive wildlife from a very different perspective. Those experiences challenged long-held assumptions and empowered us to ask questions, seek evidence, and better understand the realities behind what is often presented as “captive conservation.”
That journey continues to shape my advocacy today. I remain a true believer that knowledge is empowering. My purpose is not to tell others what they should think or to suggest that there is always a simple “right” or “wrong” decision. Rather, it is to provide factual information, meaningful context, and lessons drawn from personal experience so that each of us can make the best decisions we can with the knowledge we have. If Keeping Wildlife Wild accomplishes anything, I hope it encourages people to remain curious, ask thoughtful questions, follow the evidence—and never stop being willing to learn.
Tattle Magazine
Finding The Truth
Inside Look Behind The Scenes
Complete Article/Interview, beginning on Page 68
COEXIST With Coe Lewis
A conversation about my journey through the zoo and animal advocacy worlds—and how experience, evidence and reflection can reshape the way we view our relationships with wild animals.
From Aerospace to Animal Advocate
A look back at an unexpected journey from the aerospace industry to more than three decades of working with and advocating for animals—and the experiences that changed my perspective along the way
Interview with Erik Crown, Producer/Director
of the the documentary film “Harambe”:
A conversation with filmmaker Erik Crown about Harambe, the events that captured the world’s attention, and the broader questions they raised about zoos, captivity and our relationship with wildlife.
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
Endangered Species
Special Report: How safe is Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo?
