It is no surprise that he made many lifelong friends for the Zoo and Park along the way.
Ahead of His Time It would be easy to forget that, just like “Dr. Harry” and Mrs. Benchley, Chuck was Zoo director during a challenging time. Dr. Harry did the impossible during World War I, creating a world-famous zoo in just a few years in what was then a small town on the West Coast. Belle Benchley led the Zoo during the crisis years of World War II and the Korean War. Chuck Bieler weathered double-digit inflation in the 1970s and 1980s, two energy crises, struggles to make the fledgling Safari Park successful, and challenges from animalrights advocates who waged a relentless campaign against zoos. It was a time of great change as the philosophy behind zoos was redefined. Despite these challenges, Chuck was a director ahead of his time. In 1976, he said “our Zoo and Park truly have become centers of propagation, research and conservation, education, and family recreation in beautiful settings that involve us all in the world of Nature,” an idea that was later echoed in the organization’s vision.
advice to Doug when he started as director in 1985 was to plan, listen, communicate, encourage independent thinking, and promote teamwork. During the 1970s, Chuck was also a supporter of Joan Embery, who was becoming known nationwide at the Zoo’s goodwill ambassador through her television appearances. With his characteristic good humor, he remembers his first day on the job, as he was introduced to a big cat on a leash. When Chuck said he had never petted a lion, Joan reminded him that cats with stripes are tigers!
Looking Forward
Charles Schroeder often said that “this organization isn’t about one person, it’s about the organization.” While this is true, it is our directors, like Chuck Bieler, who have shaped our course, ensuring we offer the best animal care and world-class guest experiences. In a February 1985 ZOONOOZ article about Chuck, editor Marjorie Shaw wrote, “perhaps his greatest strengths lay in his regard for fellow employees. . .he always has Top: A gorilla and orangutan helped Chuck celebrate the a ready smile and is quick to give Park’s second anniversary in 1974. Below: Chuck helps credit. In short, he has a talent for launch a temporary bus service from the Zoo to the Park, offered when the energy crisis hit California in the 1970s. making everyone feel that he can be counted as a friend.” When asked soon after he retired why he thought San Diego Zoo The Bieler Legacy Global was successful, Chuck replied, “I think the most important When Chuck stepped down as executive director in 1985 and bething is community support—the love affair between San Diegans came executive director emeritus, he left an impressive legacy that and this institution—their willingness to be a part of the Zoo, from contributed to stellar growth for the Zoo, Safari Park, and Institute the volunteer leadership they provided, the financial support in dolfor Conservation Research. Then, in true Bieler fashion, he continlars, the visits, and the employees.” Modest he may be, but Charles ued to support San Diego Zoo Global as an advisor to the DevelBieler has contributed to San Diego Zoo Global’s world-famous repopment Department, meeting with donors and helping raise gifts. utation in so many ways. He was an early—and visionary—advocate He also continued his role as our liaison with other zoos to work for wildlife conservation, such as supporting the California condor on common goals of conservation, research, and education, before recovery program and creating the Frozen Zoo®. His goodwill visit “somewhat retiring” in 2005 and staying on as an invaluable consulto China in 1979 paved the way for future animal loans, which led tant. We are so fortunate that he still comes into the Development to a partnership to save giant pandas. As president of the Amerioffice every Wednesday, knows everyone’s name, and stops to chat. can Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, along with a While there are character traits beyond definition, you know leadership role in the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, when you have met a person of integrity who has a love and respect he worked to create conservation management goals for endangered for the organization he leads, working tirelessly to advance its misspecies. For more than four decades, Charles Bieler has been called sion and vision. Chuck has been a mentor and friend to Doug Mya mentor, leader, and friend to the global zoo community. He overers, current president and CEO of San Diego Zoo Global, and his whelmingly deserves our 2014 Conservation Advocate Medal. SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL
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