Newt Gingrich
- Thread starter jusko88
- Start date
I think Newt Gingrich is pretty much done running for office. He might try and help zoos by appearing at fundraisers, etc., but I'm not sure if he would help zoos much in that regard as many people find him repulsive and likely would not pay to see him.
He apparently did help Zoo Atlanta get their black rhinos and possibly other species. He is friends with Terry Maple, the former director, and they have written a book together.
It would be cool if he could find a way to help make zoos better.
He apparently did help Zoo Atlanta get their black rhinos and possibly other species. He is friends with Terry Maple, the former director, and they have written a book together.
It would be cool if he could find a way to help make zoos better.
He could sponsor a set of newt exhibits 
Alan
Alan
He could sponsor a set of newt exhibits
Alan
Good one gentle lemur
I think that Newt Gingrich probably could do some good for the zoo world, although what he would do exactly I don't know.
His campaign brought attention to the zoos that he visited and I guess that was a good thing.
He's a bright guy and probably does have some useful ideas for improving the zoo world and wildlife conservation.
I do wonder if he has ever visited this website.
Maybe someone should email him a link to this thread? He might even write a review of some of the zoos he's visited, or maybe post some photos?
Hix
In an official elected capacity, the only zoo he would have influence on raising funds for is the National Zoo in Washington DC. That is part of the Smithsonian Institute, which is funded by the federal government.
And politics can definitely come into play here, both good and bad. Several years ago, when George W was president and republicans controlled Congress, the Smithsonian Natural History Museum prepared to put up a photo display. It was a series by a photographer (I forget the name) taken at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. He did not do it as a political statement, just a good place to take photos. But this was at the same time republicans were trying to open up the wildlife refuge to oil drilling. They were trying to pitch it as a barren expanse and did not want someone showing photos of how beautiful it actually is. So the Smithsonian was forced to display the exhibition in the basement level (instead of the main level they wanted) and were not allowed to mention that it was taken at ANWR. They had to comply, or the republican congress was going to cut some of their funding.
And politics can definitely come into play here, both good and bad. Several years ago, when George W was president and republicans controlled Congress, the Smithsonian Natural History Museum prepared to put up a photo display. It was a series by a photographer (I forget the name) taken at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. He did not do it as a political statement, just a good place to take photos. But this was at the same time republicans were trying to open up the wildlife refuge to oil drilling. They were trying to pitch it as a barren expanse and did not want someone showing photos of how beautiful it actually is. So the Smithsonian was forced to display the exhibition in the basement level (instead of the main level they wanted) and were not allowed to mention that it was taken at ANWR. They had to comply, or the republican congress was going to cut some of their funding.
That's not quite true. As a congressman, Gingrich had a profound effect on Zoo Atlanta.
Newt would be a good candidate for future AZA office of some type. (do they have a president or a director)