Five questions for Michelle Smurl, Vice President of Animal Care & Conservation Education

1 Most visitors see animals at feeding time, resting or interacting with keepers. What is happening behind the scenes every day that is essential to their care but largely invisible to the public? Smurl: A day at the zoo is filled with passionate people using their individual strengths to care for more than 1,500 resident animals. What guests see is just one small part of that work. Behind the scenes, a tremendous amount happens daily to keep animals healthy and thriving. Keepers monitor behavior, maintain habitats and train animals to participate voluntarily in their own health care. Our animal health team conducts exams, manages preventive care and collaborates with keepers to identify any changes. Others support habitat design, nutrition, conservation and fundraising. For me, that is what makes a zoo special. Great animal care is a team effort. 2 What is something visitors commonly misunderstand about animal behavior or welfare? Smurl: One common misunderstanding is that animal welfare is always visible to the guest. An animal may be resting, choosing not to interact or spending time away from view, and that doesn't mean something is wrong. In fact, having the choice to engage or not engage is an important part of good welfare. We spend a lot of time getting to know our animals and understanding what is normal for every animal resident. That allows us to recognize changes in behavior and respond when something isn't right. Good welfare means understanding each animal and giving them the care, choices and environment they need to thrive. 3 Zoos increasingly describe themselves as conservation organizations rather than simply places to see exotic animals. The gibbons are one example. How is that mission carried out locally and internationally? Smurl: I often tell guests there is no one way to be a conservationist; there are hundreds. As an Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited institution, the zoo supports conservation locally, nationally and around the world through field projects, species survival plans, sustainability practices and partnerships. We participate in nearly 100 animal programs that help support healthy, sustainable populations. Gibbons are a notable example; we participate in three different programs supporting Javan gibbons and their conservation. Here at home, our Help the Hellbender program brings together the zoo, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Purdue University and other partners to help restore this important species to Indiana waterways. Conservation is happening all around us, and everyone can play a role. I encourage the readers to visit fwzoo.com to learn about the great work happening in our backyards and around the world. 4 Animal care inevitably involves difficult decisions about aging, illness and quality of life. What principles guide the zoo when the humane choice may also be the emotionally difficult one? Smurl: Working in a zoo comes with great emotion. For many staff, they are there when an animal is born and there when that animal eventually passes. Our animal care and veterinary teams work closely together through every stage of an animal's life, and we recognize that our responsibility is always to do what is best for the animal. These decisions are never easy, but we are guided by the animal's health, behavior, quality of life and individual needs. While emotions are certainly part of the process, the animal's welfare must always be at the center of our decisions. 5 After spending a career around animals, what is something an animal has taught you that you probably would not have learned from people? Smurl: Animals have taught me to listen without words. After more than 30 years working with animals, I've learned that they are constantly communicating with us through their behavior, and we must be willing to pay attention. An animal doesn't always respond the way we expect, and that can be an opportunity to stop, observe and rethink our approach. Every animal is an individual, and there isn't always a single right answer. That lesson has stayed with me throughout my career — to slow down, listen and be willing to change your approach. Sometimes the animal tells you exactly what you need to know.