Well...enough of that. I actually started my professional career with wildlife
at the St. Louis Zoological Park in 1977. I had been interested in fish,
herps, and insects all of my life when I pursued employment at a zoological
park. My career in St. Louis spanned nearly 18 years as I moved throughout the
animal division gaining husbandry experience with all taxa one might find in a
zoological and/or aquarium setting. My last years there, I served as Zoologist
and finally Associate Curator of the Herps and Aquatics.
In 1995, I accepted the postion of Associate Curator at the Tennessee Aquarium.
This position gave me the opportunity to work at the largest freshwater
aquarium in the world, and be able to pursue some unique freshwater
conservation efforts.
My educational background covers many years of part-time work and more credit
hours than I care to remember. My area of study was general biology with a
second degree in managment.
My specific areas of conservation of late have been associated with Lake
Victoria. I serve as the American Zoo and Aquarium, (AZA) Species Survival
Plan Coordinator for the Lake Victoria Haplochromines. The SSP currently
manages captive fish populations at 31 AZA facilities. Total number of species
held is currently 33 with total specimens exceeding 5000. We are also involved
with conservation and education at Lake Victoria proper. Of late, we have
carried out field surveys for potential reintroduction sites as well as began
intern exchange programs for East African biologists to train in the U.S. at
AZA facilities.
Past efforts have included working with Desert Pupfish, and developing new
husbandry techniques for more difficult species.
Joe Norton
Associate Curator, Tennessee Aquarium
LJN at AM at tennis.org