The executive director of the 80-year-old Staten Island zoo remains faithful to its miss ion of education and community engagement

By JENNIFER VIKSE • Photos By Robert Nuzzie

For Ken Mitchell, growing up 100 yards from the Staten Island Zoo was idyllic. He and his friends rode their bikes around and through it, appreciating even at a tender age how unique it was to have a resource like this in their midst.

Little did he know, he’d one day call the Zoo a second home, and serve as executive director of the 80-year-old facility.

In 1933, the Staten Island Zoological Society was organized to create a zoo in Clarence T. Barrett Park in West Brighton. In the years since its opening in 1936, the Zoo has fostered an environment where visitors can appreciate animal life in a unique urban setting, one that has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1988.

For Mitchell, a third-generation Staten Islander, being head of the eight acre facility is the culmination of years of varied work experience. A graduate of both St. Peter’s Boys High School and Wagner College, he received his law degree from New York Law School, and was of a mind right away to serve his community. Upon graduating, Mitchell went to work for Judge Michael Brennan and spent about five years in the criminal court system. After that, he served as then-Councilman Michael McMahon’s chief of staff throughout his tenure.

“I ran for city council when Mike got elected to Congress; I served there briefly. After I was not re-elected, the trustees at the Staten Island Zoo asked if I was interested in coming in as interim director,” recalled Mitchell. “Mike and I were big supporters of the Zoo while in office, and they wanted someone with government experience and someone who knew how to work with the Department of Cultural Affairs, elected officials, and the Parks Department. It was the right fit.”

Mitchell served as interim director, then accepted the job permanently when it was offered in 2010.

The Zoo, although small, is in a league of its own. Its AZA accreditation is coveted by many such enterprises, but awarded to few, the director noted. It also means that the Zoo is held to higher standards than those not accredited.

In keeping with the Staten Island Zoological Society’s wish to maintain the facility as an educational institution, its fourfold mission is to: disseminate a knowledge of zoology and an appreciation of animal life; maintain a zoological garden where small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and tropical fish will be on display for observation and study; instill in children an understanding and appreciation of living creatures; and provide lectures and facilities for group meetings devoted to the study of natural history.

“It has also become a destination,” noted Mitchell. “We get a significant amount of people from Staten Island, but also from New Jersey and the other four boroughs. People come and spend the entire day here.”

Its collection includes over 1,200 animals, representing more than 300 species, 75 of which are endangered or threatened, the director explained. “We have free reign to choose the animals that go into our collection, though we tend to choose the biggest little animal, since we are a small zoo. My curator, veterinarian, and I look to see what species will excite and educate the public.”

These new acquisitions are possible in part thanks to the generosity of sponsors like Elvis Duran and the Bruce G. Geary Foundation. Current exhibits include the Tropical Forest (installed in 1991), the African Savanna (1997), and the Amur Leopard Habitat (2014). Also new to the Zoo is the Conservation Carousel, which opened in 2015.

“The Amur Leopard is the world’s rarest cat,” Mitchell explained. “We have three, and hope to breed them one day. We are part of various species’ survival plans, which is wonderful.”

Built in 1985, the facility’s aquarium is, the director admits, showing its age. “It’s time to renovate and update,” he said. “We’ve actually shut the aquarium down and found the animals new homes.”

A new one, made possible by funding secured by Borough President James Oddo and Council Members Steven Matteo and Debi Rose, will be constructed within the existing building with no impact on the rest of the operation, Mitchell assured, and construction is scheduled to begin this spring. The project will include four floor-to-ceiling tanks, which will not impede traffic flow and make the center of the aquarium available as an education space. “We’re going to bring in new fish, and there will be an immersion effect with lighting and sound. We will also have modern life support systems; the tanks will be large, with plenty of space for the animals.”

All of these changing exhibits have contributed to the Zoo’s growing visitor numbers. In just the few years under Mitchell’s leadership, annual attendance has grown from 158,000 to 190,000.

“It’s such a wonderful place. We have a fantastic, dedicated staff. I really enjoy working with them,” he said, noting that the crew consists of 25 full-time and 17 part-time employees. In addition, a great board of trustees and community support make his job considerably easier.

“This is a great community asset. It’s a major cultural institution on Staten Island,” Mitchell beamed. “People enjoy it so much. We just have a great staff, and we’re going to keep getting better.” In addition to existing exhibits, the Zoo hosts 40 special events every year, including the much-anticipated Groundhog Day ceremony.
“We have 1,000 people come out at 7 a.m. in the cold to see what Chuck has to say. Punxsutawney Phil can’t put a glove on Chuck,” he quipped.

Another major event is the sell-out Spooktacular. “I’m convinced it’s one of New York City’s premiere Halloween happenings,” explained Mitchell. “Under our event chair, Deputy Borough
President Ed Burke, it has come a long way with the introduction of special effects and the participation of Susan Wagner High School students. When the tickets are sold out, I have to hide.”

In addition, this year, Mitchell is introducing Springtacular. “People have been asking for something like Spooktacular for spring. We’ll do a one night event and see how it goes.”

As a father, Mitchell also appreciates seeing the Zoo through the eyes of his four-year-old son, Charlie. “He comes in and they all know him. He loves it. It warms my heart that I am able to contribute something like this to the community. I’ve gone up and operated the Carousel myself just to see how they enjoy it. It makes you feel good.” (The Conservation Carousel features 25 hand carved animals from around the world, many of them endangered or vulnerable in the wild.)

When he’s not working, Mitchell enjoys the occasional game of golf, reading non-fiction political and history books, and spending time with his son and wife, Jacqui. But even at work, it’s a safe bet that the director’s day is incrementally more fun than that of a typical New Yorker—whether it’s a walking tour to check the status of the facility, a chat with staff, or an animal to pet.

“I’ve always believed in community engagement,” he said. “And this place is just a cultural gem.”

Staten Island Zoo
614 Broadway / 718.442.3100
statenislandzoo.org