>> THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR THIS EDITION OF "DONNYBROOK" ON OPENING DAY IN ST. LOUIS.

WE'VE GOT OUR GREAT LINEUP.

BATTING LEADOFF SHE'S THE NEWS DIRECTOR COHOST JENNIFER AND WENDY SHOW, WENDY WEISS, FROM THE SECOND ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH THE VETERAN HIMSELF, MR. BILL McCLELLAN, ANOTHER VETERAN, BATTING THIRD, MR. RAY HARTMAN.

HATTING CLEANUP FROM THE ST. LOUIS AMERICAN KMOX 590 MR. ALVIN REED.

WE'LL TALK TO CEO PRESIDENT OF ST. LOUIS ZOO JEFFREY BONNER.

SAD NOTE, HOWEVER, WE LOST A GOOD FRIEND OF THE 9 PBS THIS PAST WEEK WE LOST TED KOPLAR WHO WAS THE PRESIDENT OF OUR BOARD.

HE DID GREAT WORK, RENOVATING MARYLAND PLAZA IN THE CENTRAL WEST END.

HE WAS BEST KNOWN AS HEAD OF KPLR CHANNEL 11.

HERE IN ST. LOUIS, WE SAW HIM IN THE BATTER AT THE BUSCH STADIUM.

WE EXTEND OUR PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS TO HIS FAMILY.

HE WAS A GREAT ST. LOUIS LEADER AND GENEROUS IN MANY WAYS.

>> HE WAS VERY KIND.

I HAD SEEN HIM AS WE ALL HAD NUMEROUS EVENTS OVER THE YEARS.

WHEN I FOUND MYSELF UNEMPLOYED I RECEIVED A HANDWRITTEN NOTE INVITING ME TO COME DOWN TO HIS OFFICE.

HE SAID I LOVE TO TALK ABOUT POSSIBILITIES THAT WE HAVE.

I WAS DEEPLY TOUCHED THAT SOMEBODY WHO HAD AS MANY RESPONSIBILITIES AS HE HAD, THAT HE WOULD TAKE THE TIME TO DO A GRACIOUS THING.

IT MEANT A GREAT DEAL TO ME.

I WILL REMEMBER HIM FONDLY.

>> I HAD OPPORTUNITY TO DO BUSINESS WITH TED.

HE'S A TERRIFIC GUY.

I WANT TO SAY, I DON'T THINK PEOPLE REALIZE HOW MUCH HE MEANT TO CENTRAL WEST END.

HE NEVER TAKES LOT OF CREDIT.

HE WAS A REAL CHAMPION.

>> RAY, YOU'RE RIGHT, HE SPARED NO EXPENSE ON RENOVATION OF MARYLAND PLAZA.

HE DID A FANTASTIC JOB.

ALVIN REED, BIG MAYORAL CONTEST.

TISHAURA JONES -- >> THE TREND -- WE HAD MULTIPLE CANDIDATES IN THE TOP TWO WOULD HAVE A RAVEN.

FIRST TIME WE HAVE DONE THAT.

FROM TISHAURA WAS AND KARA SPENCER AFTER THE RUNOFF IN THE PRIMARY, IT BASICALLY HELD.

WHO KNOWS IF THAT WILL CONTINUE IN THE FUTURE.

I FIND IT INTERESTING, SHE WAS THE LEADER.

SHE WON ABOUT THE SAME NUMBER OF VOTES.

THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PREDICTED.

THAT WAS INTERESTING.

NOW, YOU WIN AND YOU HAVE TO GOVERN.

I WOULD THINK THAT AS I HAD THE JOB, IF I WAS IN HER POSITION, CRIME, CRIME, CRIME.

THAT'S WHAT THE FIRST THING THAT I WOULD DO.

WHATEVER IT TOOK TO CONVINCE PEOPLE THAT'S OUR FIRST INITIATIVE, THAT'S THE PATH I WOULD GO DOWN.

PROGRESSIVE OR NOT, THAT'S WHAT WE GOT TO DO FIRST.

>> I THOUGHT -- WRITING A COLUMN FOR SUNDAY THAT THE UNSUNG HEROES WERE THE PEOPLE WHO STAYED HOME.

SOME OF THEM.

SOME STAYED HOME BECAUSE THEY ARE LAZY AND SOME JUST AREN'T PAYING ATTENTION.

OVER 70% OF THE ELECTORATE DIDN'T VOTE.

I FOUND THAT REFRESHING JUST BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID THIS WOULD TURN INTO A HUGE RACIAL THING AND LOT OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING SOME FRIENDS OF MINE, WOULD GO OUT AND VOTE FOR SOMEBODY WHO LOOKS LIKE THEM.

EVEN THOUGH, THEY DIDN'T LIKE THE PLATFORM OF EITHER PERSON.

I TALKED TO A FRIEND OF MINE.

SAID, I STAYED HOME, WHY WOULD I VOTE.

I THOUGHT, GOOD FOR YOU.

THAT'S A PRINCIPLE THING TO DO.

[LAUGHTER] THERE WAS A TIME THAT WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED PEOPLE WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE POLLS TO VOTE AGAINST SOMEBODY AND FOR NO GOOD REASON.

I SALUTE THOSE WHO STAYED HOME.

I KNOW NOT ALL OF THEM ARE PRINCIPLED.

I THOUGHT IT WAS HEARTENING THING.

I WAS GLAD TO SEE TISHAURA JONES WIN.

I THOUGHT SHE DID A BETTER JOB AS TREASURER THAN PEOPLE GIVE HER CREDIT FOR.

SHE SUCCEEDED LARRY WILLIAMS.

>> FOUNDERS ASSOCIATION -- I'M GUESSING.

I'LL WAIT TO READ THE VERSION OF IT.

I WILL SAY THIS.

I THINK TISHAURA JONES HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A GREAT MAYOR.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

WE HAVEN'T REALLY HAD ONE OF THOSE THAT I CAN REMEMBER.

SHE HAS THE POTENTIAL.

I WAS LISTENING TO HER ON CNN.

I THOUGHT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED.

WE'RE USED TO HER BEING AROUND.

THIS IS THE CITY'S FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAYOR.

THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

>> AFRICAN-AMERICAN FEMALE.

>> SECOND FEMALE AND THIRD AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

FIRST BLACK WOMAN IN YEAR CORI BUSH AND KIM GARDNER HAD BIG WINS.

OTHER THING I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING, I DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT ABOUT RACE, WHO WOULD HAVE DREAMED THAT WE HAVE ALL THREE MEMBERS OF ENA BE AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

IT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

I THINK ONE OF THE NICE THINGS ABOUT THAT, IS PEOPLE GOT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY NOT MONOLITH.

YOU COULD HAVE THREE INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE SPEAKING THEIR MINDS AND HAVING DIFFERENCES.

ENA IS GOING TO HAVE EVERY BIT MUCH SPARKS FLY.

WE CAN GET AWAY FROM -- >> I THINK THAT TISHAURA MAYOR-ELECT JONES, SHE'S LOOKING AT HER NEW JOB THROUGH THE LENS OF BLACK REALITY.

WHAT THE CONVERSATION SHE HAD TO HAVE WITH HER SON AND ALL OF THAT.

I THINK LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE WATCHING THIS CITY AS WE GO FORWARD.

I DON'T KNOW THE DEFINITION, ACCORDING TO ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER.

WHAT EXACTLY A PROGRESSIVE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS.

LOT IS RIDING ON THIS BECAUSE THIS IS OR USED TO BE A WORLD-CLASS CITY.

NOW THE PROGRESSIVES ARE IN CHARGE.

YOU KNOW, WE ALL HAVE A STAKE IN MAYOR-ELECT JONES IN HER TENURE.

WE SHOULD WISH HER WELL.

WHEN YOU THINK OF ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE CONFRONTING HER, I COULDN'T HELP BUT THINK BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.

>> PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TO HEAR OLD GUYS SAY, HEY, EVERYTHING IS MOVING ALONG, THINGS ARE BETTER THAN THEY USED TO BE.

WENDY SAID, PEOPLE ARE IMPATIENT.

I WAS LOOKING UP WHEN MARY WILLIAMS BECAME TREASURER IN 1981, THE DEMOCRAT HEADLINE WAS, MAYOR APPOINTS BLACK AS TREASURER.

I THOUGHT, THAT'S NOT THAT LONG AGO.

THINGS HAVE MOVED FORWARD.

>> THINK ABOUT IT, YOU GOT THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, POLICE CHIEF ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND SO TIMES HAVE CHANGED.

THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

BUT, RAY HARTMAN, ISN'T IT POSSIBLE THAT WE PUT A LITTLE MORE STATURE TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE THAN REALLY THAN MAYOR HAS IN TERMS OF POWER?

SOME CITIES THE MAYOR HAS A SEAT ON THE SCHOOL BOARD.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE HERE.

THE MAYOR DOES HAVE CONTROL OVER THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

BUT THE MAYOR IS IN CHARGE OF MANY FACETS LIKE THE RECORDER OF DEEDS, DOESN'T RUN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

DOESN'T RUN THE TREASURER OFFICE.

THEN WHEN IT COMES TO THE BUDGET, DOESN'T EVEN RUN THAT.

HAS TO SHARE IT WITH TWO OTHER PEOPLE, THE COMPTROLLER.

THEN THERE'S THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN WHICH IS PROGRESSIVE NOW.

15 ARE PROGRESSIVES.

WE WONDER WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE CITY, ESPECIALLY NOW.

THIS IS $517 MILLION FEDERAL DOLLARS.

>> ONE OF THE PROGRESSIVES IS KARA SPENCER.

I THINK KARA SPENCER DID HERSELF PROUD AND GOT A GOOD FUTURE.

YOU KNOW WHO ELSE SAID THAT WAS DARLENE GREEN.

SHE PUT OUT A STATEMENT LAST NIGHT -- TUESDAY NIGHT WHICH WAS A SHARP CONTRAST TO OUTGOING MAYOR WHO PUT OUT A STATEMENT ABOUT PROPOSITION E PASSING.

OBSERVE -- >> WHAT WILL THEY DO WITH HALF BILLION DOLLARS?

WHAT SHOULD THEY DO?

>> THIS IS A BIG WIN.

BIG NIGHT FOR -- SHE WAS ONE OF THE BIG WINNERS.

ONE OF HER CRITICS WAS BIG LOSER.

MEGHAN GREEN TALKED ABOUT THREE THINGS THAT WERE RIGHT AWAY GOING TO HAPPEN.

CITY WORK HOUSE CLOSING AND THE AIRPORT PRIVATIZATION DEAD, SOME REFORM OF TIFFS.

IT'S TOO EARLY TO TELL.

THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE A LEGISLATIVE PROCESS WHAT THEY'LL DO WITH THE LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY COMING IN.

THIS IS A REALLY INTERESTING CHALLENGE FOR LEWIS REID.

HE'S UP FOR ELECTION IN TWO YEARS.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME HE'S HAD A BOARD OF ALDERMAN THAT HE DOESN'T CONTROL IDEOLOGYICALLY.

IT'S 15 PROGRESSIVES.

LEWIS DOES NOT HAVE THE CONTROL OVER THAT THAT HE HAD BEFORE.

THAT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO WATCH.

>> I THINK OUR ST. LOUIS CARDINALS OPENING DAY.

ST. LOUIS BLUES, MAYBE TO AN EXTENT, MLS.

THE IDEA THAT WE WILL GIVE YOU ANYTHING YOU WANT IS ON HOLD FOR A WHILE NOW.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT WILL COME FROM THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN.

JUST REAL QUICK, SHE'S THE FIRST BLACK FEMALE MAYOR AND LEWIS REID, I BELIEVE THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN.

GOD BLESS THEM ALL.

I'M A LITTLE OLDER THAN THEY ARE.

IF I HAD A DOLLAR FOR THE TIME I WAS THE FIRST OR I WAS THE ONLY BLACK PERSON, I COULD RETIRE.

I DON'T LOOK AT STUFF LIKE THAT ANYMORE.

IT'S WHOA, THAT'S HICK.

-- HISTORIC.

NO, IT'S ABOUT TIME.

>> I WILL SAY THIS.

RAY YOU BRING UP THE TIFFS.

WHEN SHE WAS TREASURER, I TALKED TO TISHAURA JONES ON KMOX.

SHE SAID SHE WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF REQUIRING A DEVELOPER WHO GETS A TAX SUBSIDY FOR RESIDENTIAL, TO SET ASIDE A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THE DEVELOPMENT FOR LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING.

THAT'S LONG OVERDUE.

THEY WERE DOING THAT IN BOSTON 30 PLUS YEARS AGO.

THE WAY THE CITY IS RUN NOW, THERE'S ONE AGENCY THAT GRANTS THESE TIFFS IT GETS 1% OF THE PROCEEDS.

IF THE ST. LOUIS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION GIVES A $100 MILLION TIFF, THEY GET $1 MILLION.

IT'S A PROVERSE INCENTIVE THAT HAS TO END.

JACOB BARKER AT THE POST DISPATCH POINTED THIS OUT.

IT MAKES NO SENSE.

THE RESULT IS FOR THIS GOVERNMENT AGENCY TO GET FUNDING IT HAS TO GIVE RICH PEOPLE TAX BREAKS.

I HOPE THE NEW MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMAN TAKE THAT ON.

>> NO, I THINK ONE THING THAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT MAYOR-ELECT JONES, FOR SO LONG, WE REFERRED TO HER LIKE TISHAURA, SHE'S MAYOR-ELECT JONES.

SHE IS NOT GOING TO MINCE WORDS.

SHE IS NOT GOING TO BE ENCUMBERED BY THE SAME TYPE OF THINGS THAT MAYOR LYDA KREWSON WAS OR MAYOR FRANCIS SLAY.

I THINK SHE'S GOING TO SPEAK DIRECTLY.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE FASCINATING.

WHEN SHE SEES STUFF LIKE THIS, CHARLIE, THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, I THINK SHE'S GOING TO CALL IT OUT.

I THINK SHE'S GOING TO CALL IT OUT HARD.

>> LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

SHE HAS SAID SHE'S GOING TO CLOSE THAT WORK HOUSE WITHIN HUNDRED 1 DAYS.

ON EASTER SUNDAY WE HAD ANOTHER UPRISING AT THE JAIL IN DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS.

THE INMATES, THE RESIDENT, THEY BROKE THE WINDOWS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF TUCKER AND ON THE SOUTHED OF SOUTH -- SOUTH SIDE AS WELL, NEXT DAY CITY OFFICIALS SAID, LOCKS HAVEN'T BEEN WORKING.

THE TASK FORCE EXAMINING CONDITIONS AT THE JAIL AND DETERMINED THAT THE WORKS HAVE NOT BEEN WORKING FOR FIVE YEARS.

I THINK HEADS SHOULD ROLL.

I DON'T SEE HOW ANY WORK HOUSE CAN BE PLANNED FOR CLOSURE.

DO YOU?

>> NO.

I DON'T.

I'VE BEEN AGAINST THE IDEA OF AUTOMATICALLY CLOSING THE WORK HOUSE.

I THINK THEY SHOULD BE WORKING TOWARD THAT.

I DON'T THINK WE'RE IN POSITION TO CLOSE IT.

I FOUND THE MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT THAT STORY IS THAT THEY HAVE A PLAN TO FIX THESE LOCKS AND IT WILL COST $13.5 MILLION.

THAT'S KIND OF STAGGERING AND IT MAKES ME THINK THAT THIS $500 MILLION THAT EVERYBODY IS EXCITED ABOUT WILL DISSIPATE FASTER THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE.

IF WE GET THE LOCKS FIXED AND 9/11 AND HIRE TEN MORE OPERATORS, THAT'S HALF $500 MILLION THERE.

AS FAR AS THE UPRISING AT THE WORKHOUSE IF THE LOX DON'T WORK, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT.

>> I THINK THEY NEED TO CLOSE THE CITY WORKHOUSE ASAP.

THE MAYOR DOES SET THE TABLE.

THE MAYOR IS NOT ONE THIRD.

THE MAYOR SETS THE TABLE.

THIS IS ONE OF TISHAURA JONES'S EARLY TESTS.

TO SEE HOW FAST SHE CAN REACH THAT SUPERWOMAN.

THE QUESTION IS HOW FAST SHE CAN CHANGE THE TONE.

I THINK MOST OF US LOOK AT THIS.

YOU LOOK AT A COMMON SENSE THING ABOUT YOU CAN'T GET THE LOCKS TO WORK ON THE CELLS.

I THINK PEOPLE HAVE A SENSE THAT THEY WANT SOMEBODY DIFFERENT AND SOME SORT OF, I DON'T KNOW, ORA OF DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING.

IT'S ONE OF THE FIRST TESTS SHE'S GOT TO SEE WHAT SHE CAN MOVE -- WHAT NEEDLE SHE CAN MOVE.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT'S SO SMART, REALLY.

>> THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF -- I KNOW THE PROGRESSIVES AREN'T BIG ABOUT CLOSING THE WORKHOUSE RIGHT NOW.

NO CASH BAIL AND ALL THAT STUFF.

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY AND CRIME.

>> HOW CAN YOU FOR CLOSING MEDIUM SECURITY WORKHOUSE WHEN THEY DO HAVE LOCKS.

IT HAS RUNNING WATER WHICH THE JUSTICE CENTER DOES NOT.

I TALKED TO A FATHER OF OF GUY WHO IS IN THERE ARE A YEAR.

HIS KID DID NOT HAVE A SHOWER FOR 1 12 MONTHS.

THE WORKHOUSE ON NORTH HALL STREET HAVE OUTDOORS WHERE YOU CAN RUN AROUND.

THERE'S NO SUNSHINE IN DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN THERE THREE YEARS AND HAVEN'T SEEN THE LIGHT OF DAY.

>> WHY DON'T WE CLOSE THEM BOTH DOWN?

>> I CAN'T ADD ANYTHING BUT FIX THE LOCKS.

ANYBODY WHO DID NOT GET THE LOCKS FIXED BETWEEN THE LAST INCIDENT AND EASTER, SHOULD LOSE THEIR JOB.

>> HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU THINK ARE LINING UP FOR DALE GLASS'S POSITION?

>> I GET YOU.

THAT IS NOT THE INCOMING.

THE INCOMING ADMINISTRATION CAN DO THAT.

I'M NOT YELLING AT THEM.

THIS IS THE PEOPLE THAT WERE IN CHARGE WHO ARE NO LONGER IN CHARGE.

THANK GOD.

WE CAN MOVE ON.

>> YOU SEE TISHAURA TEAM COMING IN.

YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE.

IT'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAVING A MAYOR WHO'S AN ALLY OF OUR CITY DEFENDERS AS OPPOSED TO AN ADVERSARY.

>> THE MAYOR-ELECT SAID ONE OF HER FIRST CONCERNS IS SITTING DOWN WITH PROGRESSIVES TO DISCUSS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A TRUE ALLY OF THE BLACK POPULATION IN IT CITY OF ST. LOUIS.

THAT'S SUGGEST TO ME THAT RACE IS STILL GOING TO BE IN AN ONGOING ISSUE.

>> IT'S ALWAYS AN ISSUE.

IF I WERE ON THAT GROUP, I'M NOT, LIKE I SAID, CRIME, CRIME, CRIME.

THEN, FIRST OF ALL, IT TAKES A LOT TO KEEP THOSE ALLEGED AND THOSE PRESUMABLY GUILTY IN THEIR CELL.

SECOND, LET'S MAKE IT SAFE TO WALK, ESPECIALLY THROUGH THE NORTH SIDE OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS.

YOU CAN BE PROGRESSIVE AND DO THOSE THING.

IT'S NOT FAIR TO SAY PROGRESSIVES WANT TO TURN THE JAIL DOORS OPEN.

YOU KNOW, I DON'T.

>> I AGREE.

ALVIN YOU'RE RIGHT.

OUR CITY DEFENDERS, THEY WANT A HUMANE TREATMENT FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN THERE IF THEY HAVE TO BE IN THERE.

IT SHOULD NOT BE MODERN DAY GUE LOG.

I'M WITH THEM ON THAT.

I DON'T SEE WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE MEDIUM SECURITY WORKHOUSE.

IF WE TAKE THAT HALF BILLION DOLLARS, SHOULD WE RAISE THE PAY OF THE DISPATCHERS?

BASICALLY IN ST. CHARLES COUNTY, 99% OF 911 CALLS ARE ANSWERED WITHIN 10 SECONDS.

IT'S 64% IN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS.

WE SUPPOSEDTOR 90 WORKERS, WE GOT 60.

THE PAY IS BELOW THE NATIONAL STANDARD.

WE HAD ALEXIS ZOTOS FROM CHANNEL 4, SHE GETS FENDER BENDER THIS PAST WEEK AND 911 SAYS WE DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU.

DAVID CARSON A PHOTOGRAPHER FOR THE POST DISPATCH, HE ALL KARA KARA -- HE CALLS 911 HE'S ON HOLD FOR 6 MINUTES.

>> YOU JUST OUTLINED IT PRETTY CLEAR.

WE HAVE A CRISES.

I DON'T THINK PEOPLE LIKE TO THINK ABOUT THE 911 SITUATION UNTIL THEY HAVE THEIR PHONE IN THERAPY HAND AND MAUREEN RAMSEY WHO WAS QUOTED SAYING SHE COULDN'T BE QUIET ANYMORE BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE 911 CALLS COME IN, THIS BLUE LIGHT WHILE THEY'RE IN A HOLDING PATTERN, SHE SAID IT TAKES FOREVER IF THE BLUE LIGHT IS EVER EVEN TURNED OFF.

MEANING THAT SOMEBODY IN NEED OF EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ISN'T RECEIVING IT.

TO THINK THAT THE 911 DISPATCH CENTERS ARE DOWN 30% IN TERMS OF EMPLOYEES.

IN SIX YEARS, THAT SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A TOP PRIORITY OF THE JONES ADMINISTRATION.

I'M SURE THAT IT IS ONE OF THE MANY TOP PRIORITIES.

IT'S DISGRACEFUL.

IF YOU DON'T THINK THAT COMPANIES ARE LOOKING THAT THAT THING, THAT'S SHORT SIGHTED.

>> IT WAS INTERESTING IN THAT STORY THAT THE CRISES REALLY BEGAN WHEN THE CITY GOT CONTROL OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THAT'S WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THEY CUT JOBS IN 9 WIL 9 -- 911.

FOR YEARS, GETTING CONTROL OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS JOB NUMBER ONE TRYING TO GET IT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

ACCORDING TO THAT STORY, FIRST THING THEY DID WAS CUT 911 OPERATORS.

>> I CONTINUE TO THINK, I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT WE WOULD HAVE A POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THERE SHOULD BE MORE INSTRUCTION.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A REALLY GOOD STORY.

THAT'S A GOOD POINT.

ANY 911 CALL THAT IS LATE IS UNACCEPTABLE.

MUCH LESS ALL OF THEM OR MOST.

IT'S JUST NUTS.

ONCE AGAIN, TISHAURA JONES JUST TOOK ON A REALLY DIFFICULT JOB.

SHE'S GOT A LOT OF NUMBER ONE PRIORITIES.

THE 911 THING IS REALLY GLARING.

IN FAIRNESS SHE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE CAMPAIGN.

>> ALSO, COVID VACCINE IS STILL OUT THERE.

THE CITY ALONG WITH FEMA, BIG MASS VACCINATION CENTER AT THE DOME.

YESTERDAY WAS THE FIRST DAY.

THEY HAD CAPACITY FOR 3000 PEOPLE.

BUT ONLY 700 PEOPLE GOT IN LINE FOR A VACCINE.

WHY DO YOU THINK SO FEW?

>> WELL BECAUSE, SINCE THE GOVERNOR DECIDED WE DIDN'T NEED TO HAVE IT ANY SHOTS, PEOPLE GOT TO HUSTLING.

WE DO WHAT WE DO IN THE METROPOLITAN AREAS.

WE GET THE JOB DONE.

PEOPLE WERE OUT THERE GETTING THE JOB DONE.

IF THEY SAID THERE WAS MASS VACCINATION SITE, THOSE 3000 SHOTS WOULD HAVE PROBABLY GONE IN THE FIRST THREE HOURS.

IT'S LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE.

IT'S GOING TO BE GAMBLING.

IT'S GOING TO BE MARIJUANA, THIS AND THAT.

WE'RE LATE.

THIS STATE IS LATE.

THIS SHOULD HAVE OPENED BEFORE THESE OTHER PLACES OPENED IN WHEREVER, WHERE THEY THREW 700 DOSAGES IN THE DUMPSTER.

NOW HERE WE ARE AND MOST PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY TAKEN CARE OF THEIR OWN BUSINESS.

>> I DON'T KNOW.

WE STILL ABOUT 80% PEOPLE IN THE CITY AREN'T VACCINATED YET.

ACCORDING TO STATE NUMBERS.

MAY BE IF THEY GO TO MT.

VERNON, ILLINOIS TO GET THE VACCINE, IT'S NOT SHOWING UP LOCALLY.

>> I DON'T THINK ST. LOUIS COUNTY HAS ANY IDEA HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE GOT THE VIRUS.

TWO DAYS AGO, I GOT FROM ST. LOUIS COUNTY TO MAKE ALL APPOINTMENT TO GET A VACCINE.

WELL, IT WAS ALREADY DONE.

THEY TELL YOU, JUST DON'T RESPOND.

THEY DON'T TELL YOU, HEY, I ALREADY GOT IT.

THE COUNTY DOESN'T KNOW THAT I HAVE IT.

ALL THE COUNTY KNOWS IS, I DIDN'T SHOW UP.

>> FIRST OF ALL, GOVERNOR REID'S CAREER JUST TANK IN OUTSTATE WITH THAT RURAL TANIYA JAB.

I THINK LOT OF PEOPLE RELUCTANT TO GET THE SHOT.

THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT PORTION.

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY TRAGIC.

THERE ARE CULTURAL REASONS, THERE'S POLITICAL REASONS THAT REALLY DON'T MAKE ANY SENSE.

>> THEY'RE ALL RIDICULOUS.

>> I'M SAYING, THEY'RE NOT GOOD.

IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

AS FAR AS GOVERNOR REID GOES, OUR STATE IS LATE.

>> McCLELLAN-REID, LET'S GET ON IT.

>> WE'LL GET THOSE LOCKS FIXED.

[LAUGHTER] >> EVERY TIME YOU SAY THAT, WE NEED TO DO SUCH AND SUCH.

OUR STATE IS LATE.

>> LET'S JUST SAY, THERE ARE VACCINES AVAILABLE AT THE CHESTERFIELD MALL.

THANKS ST. LOUIS HOSPITAL AND ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOREST PARK AND DOWNTOWN AT THE DOME AND PROBABLY OTHER PLACES.

WE ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO GET A VACCINE SO WE CAN GET THIS ECONOMY BACK AND GET PEOPLE BACK IN THE CLASSROOMS SO WE CAN HAVE DONNY BASH IN OCTOBER.

WE HAVE TO TAKE A BREAK HERE.

WE'LL BE BACK IN A MOMENT ON NEXT UP, DR. JEFFREY BONNER CEO AND PRESIDENT TO THE ST. LOUIS ZOO.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR "DONNYBROOK NEXT UP."

WE'RE GLAD THAT DR. JEFFREY BONNER PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE ST. LOUIS ZOO.

HE'S SCHEDULED TO JOIN US ON 9 PBS.

YOU'RE GOING TO RETIRE IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO.

TELL US WHAT YOUR PLANS ARE.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SCOOT'S -- ZOO'S PLANNED EXPANSION IN NORTH COUNTY?

>> GAME TO BE -- I'M GOING TO BE AVAILABLE.

WE'LL BE AROUND.

I THINK IN TERMS WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE EXPANSION IN NORTH COUNTY, I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT.

I THINK WE BRING IN FRESH EYES FRESH LIGHTS.

SOMEBODY THAT WANTS TO TAKE WHAT WE BUILT SO FAR AND TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

THAT'S WHAT I ANTICIPATE HAPPENING.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO GET SOMEBODY GREAT.

THIS THING IS GOING TO BE FURTHER, FASTER AND HIGHER.

>> GREAT.

DR. BONNER, WHEN DO YOU THINK THE NORTH COUNTY PROJECT IS GOING TO BE DONE?

>> IT'S PROBABLY AS EARLY AS 2026.

THEY'VE ALREADY STARTED WORKING.

IF YOU DRIVE PAST THERE.

THEY'RE MOVING EARTH AND THEY'LL DEMO BUILDINGS AND BEGIN THE PROCESS OF ENHANCING THE ENVELOPES OF BUILDING THAT WE NEED.

IT'S STARTING NOW.

>> YOU ARE COLLECTING THE TAX NOW RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> I NOTICED YOU ANNOUNCED IT WILL BE FREE FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS.

WHAT'S THE RATIONALE FOR THAT VERSUS THE POLICIES YOU HAVE -- >> WE WERE LISTENING TO YOU.

>> I ASSUME YOU DID IT BECAUSE THOSE COUNTY TAXPAYERS ARE THE ONES PROVIDING THE TAX.

WHY IS THAT DIFFERENT FROM THE CITY AND COUNTY TAXPAYERS?

>> WHAT I ALWAYS SAID, IT'S YOUR ZOO.

I HAD THIS EXTRAORDINARY PRIVILEGE OF GETTING TO TAKE CARE OF IT FOR YOU.

WHEN WE TALK TO PEOPLE AND WE DO SURVEYS CONSTANTLY, THERE'S TWO PEOPLE THAT DO NOTHING BUT THAT.

WHAT WE FOND IS ABOUT 72% OF PEOPLE WANT IT TO REMAIN FREE TO ALL, 77% AFRICAN-AMERICANS WANT TO REMAIN FREE FOR ALL.

WHICH IS NOT SURPRISING.

THE REMAINING 25% ARE SCATTERED BETWEEN THREE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.

OVERWHELMING CATEGORY TO REMAIN FREE.

IT'S YOUR ZOO.

THE OTHER THING, THOUGH, EVEN IF WE WERE TO TRY TO REOPEN THAT LEGISLATION IN JEFF CITY, I DON'T THINK THERE'S A BILL IN THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE GOVERNMENT THAT'S COME OUT THE WAY.

SO MANY CHANGES.

THAT WILL BE TRUE WITH TAX BILLS AND IN THIS LEGISLATURE.

SO NO, IT'S ABOUT IMPOSING ITS WILL ON ST. LOUIS CITY AND COUNTY.

I THINK IT WOULD BE ILL ADVISED TO REOPEN THE LEGISLATION.

EVEN IF I THOUGHT THAT WE SHOULD CHARGE.

WHAT I THINK DOESN'T REALLY MATTER.

IT'S WHAT YOU THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.

>> DR. BONNER.

I'M ONE OF THOSE 71% AND 77%.

IT MEANS A LOT TO ME THAT WE OFFER THE WORLD THE ZOO.

WE GET FEW THINGS RIGHT IN OUR REGION.

THIS IS RIGHT.

NOW YOU'RE LEAVING, THE FUTURE IS ALMOST HERE.

DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ABOUT LIKE WHO COMES IN AND OUTGOING COACH, WHO HAS DONE A GREAT JOB FOR, WON SUPER BOWLS.

HE HAS AN IDEA OUT THERE I THINK WHO COULD FIT IN HERE AND DO THIS SHOT WELL.

I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO TELL US WHO YOU THINK.

ARE YOU WORKING ON THAT?

ARE THERE SOME THOUGHTS AS TO WHO REPLACES YOU?

>> WHAT'S HAPPENED, THE COMMISSION AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ASSOCIATION AND COMMUNITY LEADERS HAVE FORMED A SEARCH COMMITTEE.

THEY HIRED AN EXECUTIVE RECRUITER AND THAT PERSON IS JUST STARTING HER WORK.

I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE THAT THEY WILL COME UP WITH SOMEBODY THAT'S BETTER THAN ME.

I THINK THERE'S PEOPLE THAT ARE LOT BETTER THAN ME OUT THERE.

I'M NOT WORRIED.

>> I DOUBT THAT.

I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT.

>> WENDY?

>> THANKS, YOU SAID THAT ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT DECISIONS THAT YOU HAD TO MAKE DURING THE PANDEMIC WAS CLOSING THE CHILDREN ZOO.

I KNOW THAT THERE WAS THE DINOSAUROUS EXHIBIT WAS SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN THE SPRING.

WHERE DO WE STAND ON DINOSAURS?

I ASK THIS AS A NEWLY MINTED GRANDMOTHER.

I HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN THIS RIGHT NOW.

>> I SHOULD KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT.

I THINK IT'S A COUPLE MORE WEEKS BEFORE WE REOPEN.

IT LOOKS FABULOUS.

IT CAN'T BE TOO MUCH LONGER.

>> YOU HAVE A LOT ON YOUR PLATE.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

>> WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

IT'S FUN.

IT LET'S US TALK ABOUT THINGS LIKE EXTINCTION IN A WAY THAT I DON'T WANT TO SAY THAT'S FRIENDLY BUT APPROACHABLE.

THAT WORKS FOR EVEN YOUNGER CHILDREN TO TALK ABOUT A DIFFICULT SUBJECT.

WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING THAT OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOME INTERPRETATION.

OTHER THING THERE'S STILL DINOSAURS ON THE PLANET.

HELPING PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT CONNECTION, THAT LINEAGE IS A REALLY FUN THING TO DO.

>> I THOUGHT WHEN YOU SAID THERE WAS STILL DINOSAURS I THOUGHT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT MY COLLEAGUES ON THE DONNYBROOK PANEL.

>> I THOUGHT CROCODILES.

YEAH, OKAY.

[LAUGHTER] >> LET'S KEEP AND EYE ON DINOSAURS THEN AND GO TO JURASSIC PARK.

I KNOW THAT THE ZOO WORKS WITH ENDANGERED SPECIES.

WHAT ABOUT EXTINCT SPECIES?

THERE WAS THAT WILLIE MAMMOTH FOUND IN THE SIBERIA PERMAFROST, THEY'RE THINKING THEY CAN BRING A WILLIE MAMMOTH BACK TO LIFE.

ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF THAT.

MIGHT THERE BE A WILLIE MAMMOTH?

>> IT'S A SERIOUS QUESTION.

THERE'S A PRO-- >> I MEANT IT AS SERIOUS.

I DO.

>> WHAT WE FOUND THAT THE GENETIC MATERIAL IN MAMMOTH EGGS, THAT MATERIAL WAS NOT APPROPRIATELY GLASS FROZEN.

THE QUESTION IS KIND OF A MOOT ONE.

THERE'S GENETIC MATERIAL TO RECONSTRUCT THOSE ANIMALS.

IF WE COULD, WE CAN FERTILIZE AN EGG OR IMPLANT OTHERWISE FERTILIZED CELL IN AN AFRICAN ELEPHANTS AND PRODUCE A VIABLE OFFSPRING.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE ANY ETHICAL PROBLEMS ABOUT BRINGING AN EXTINCT SPECIES BACK?

>> I THINK WE'VE GOT -- WE HAVE ENOUGH PROBLEMS WITH THE ANIMALS THAT WE HAVE.

I THINK THE ETHICAL QUESTION THAT IS MOST LIKELY TO BE FACED IS WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE SPECIES LIKE THE AMERICAN RED WOLF THAT HAS ALL OF THEM HAVE SOME COYOTE GENES.

WHICH IS WHY THERE'S VIRTUALLY NONE OF THEM LEFT.

DO THEY DESERVE A CHANCE EVEN THOUGH THEY MIGHT HAVE 8% OR 10% OF THEIR GENETIC HERITAGE MAKE UP OF THE COYOTE.

YES, THEY DO DESERVE JUST AS MUCH AS ANY OTHER SPECIES WOULD.

>> DR. BONNER, ARE THERE SPECIES AT THE ZOO NOW IF YOU'RE IN ST. LOUIS THAT DO FACE AN EXTINCTION WORLDWIDE IN THE NEAR FUTURE?

>> WE HAVE SPECIES AT THE ZOO THAT IS EXTINCT.

IT ALREADY HAPPENED.

AS FAR AS SPECIES THAT WILL SOON BE EXTINCT, WE CAN TALK ABOUT SPECIES THAT ARE FUNCTIONALLY EXTINCT.

IF YOU DOWN TO LESS THAN 100, YOU'RE BARELY HANGING ON BY A THREAD.

THERE'S SEVERAL SPECIES.

JUST LOT OF THE CATS ARE IN BIG TROUBLE.

TIGERS ARE IN TERRIBLE TROUBLE IN THE WILD.

WHEN YOU START TALKING HUNDREDS, I WOULD SAY THAT FALLS IN THE CATEGORY THAT YOU'RE ASKING ABOUT.

>> RAY?

>> BEFORE I GET OFF ANIMALS, THANK YOU FOR THE DINOSAUR THING WENDY.

I AM THE ONLY PERSON, I BELIEVE ACTUALLY SAW -- [INDISCERNIBLE] I DO WANT TO ASK YOU ANOTHER QUESTION.

>> LET ME TALK ABOUT THAT.

MY DAD'S NAME WAS PHIL.

HE WOULD TELL THAT PHIL THE GORILLA WAS NAMED AFTER HIM.

[LAUGHTER] >> WITH REGARD TO THE ZOO MUSEUM DISTRICT AND THE STRUCTURE, WHEN THE ZOO MUSEUM WAS FORMED IN '72 OR WHATEV ER, THE ST. LOUIS METROPOLITAN AREA WAS JUST UNDER $1.9 MILLION.

AT LEAST 85% OF THAT WAS IN THE CITY AND COUNTY.

AS YOU KNOW, IN YOUR NATIVE ST. CHARLES COUNTY GROWN AND NOW ST. LOUIS WHO KNOWS WITH THE 2020 CENSUS I GUESS IT'S 46%.

YOU'RE A GUY WITH NOTHING BUT VISION.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR OUR REGION TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE ZOO?

PEOPLE IN ST. CHARLES COUNTY AND JEFFERSON COUNTY LOVING EVERY BIT AS MUCH AND CLAIM EVERY BIT OF US OF THOSE IN CITY AND COUNTY.

WHAT CAN BE DONE SO THAT THE REGION FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS -- BY THE WAY, IT'S NOT JUST THE ZOO.

IT'S ALL FIVE INSTITUTIONS.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO BRING THE REGION WHERE EVERYBODY IS PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE?

>> I GUESS I SAY THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT PATHS THAT WE CAN GO DOWN.

OBVIOUSLY WE GO BACK TO JEFF CITY AND SEEK TO GET ENABLING LEGISLATION.

WE TRIED ONCE THAT WOULD ALLOW ST. CHARLES, FRANKLIN AND JEFFERSON TO JOIN THE TAX DISTRICT.

SAME THING CAN BE DONE IN ILLINOIS.

YOU MAKE ENOUGH CASE FOR ILLINOIS AS WELL.

MADISON, ST. CLAIRE AND MONROE.

THAT'S ONE WAY TO GO.

I THINK WE TRIED IT.

IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT CAN'T BE DONE.

I THINK THE OTHER PATH, THOUGH, WHEN WILD CARE PARK OPENS IN NORTH COUNTY, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE FABULOUS.

I BELIEVE THAT A COUNTY EXECUTIVE MAY THINK THAT IT MAKE SENSE TO TAKE MONEY FROM HIS COUNTY BUDGET AND GIVE IT TO WILD CARE PARK SO THAT RESIDENTS OF ST. CHARLES CAN GET IN FOR FREE.

THAT WILL BE POSSIBLE.

I THINK JUSTIFIABLE.

I THINK IN SOMEONE LIKE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S MIND.

>> I DO UNDERSTAND THAT WAS MY LITTLE LONELY PROPOSAL.

JUST TO CLARIFY ONE THING.

THE PROPOSAL WOULD BE TO MAKE IT FOREVER FREE FOR CITY AND COUNTY RESIDENTS.

IT WASN'T EVER TO CHARGE FOR EVERYBODY.

IF YOU ASK THAT QUESTION, SHOULD TOURIST PAY AND PEOPLE WHO AREN'T SUPPORTING THE DISTRICT, I THINK YOU'LL GET A DIFFERENT QUESTION.

>> IT'S ABOUT 8% THAT AGREE WITH YOU.

THEY ARE THERE.

THAT'S THE IMPORTANT THING.

>> PEOPLE OBVIOUSLY, CITY AND COUNTY SHOULD BE FOREVER FREE.

>> I'M PART OF THAT 1.9 MILLION.

THANK GOODNESS THE ZOO IS FREE AND FOR EVERYBODY WHO COMES IN TOWN, ZOO IS FREE.

I SHARE YOUR FEARS THAT WE START TAKING THIS, NEXT THING WE KNOW, NOBODY IS GOING FOR FREE.

>> I THINK WHAT'S IMPORTANT, WHAT I SEEN IN THE COURSE OF MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE.

THERE'S A REVERENCE FOR THIS ZOO IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT IS UNEQUAL.

>> THANK YOU.

I HAVE THAT.

I'M JUST A KID FROM KIRKWOOD.

I'M JUST TELLING YOU, GROWING UP AND DOING THAT ZOO, I COME FROM A MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY.

I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT POVERTY OR ALL THAT.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT.

THAT'S A GOD SEND FOR FAMILIES LIKE MINE.

MY QUESTION IS THIS, WHERE DO YOU GO YOUR FAVORITE THING.

ANY HOPE THAT WE CAN GET ADDITIONAL POLAR BEAR OR TWO ARE THE WE'RE AT STANDARD WISE NOW.

THAT'S HARD TO DO.

MY NIECES AND NEPHEWS ASKED LAST TIME THEY WERE THERE.

WE GOT REALLY CUTE VIDEO WITH THEM SWIMMING IN THE BACKGROUND.

ANY HOPE?

>> YES.

THE SHORT ANSWER IS YES.

WHEN THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT PASS END UNDER PRESIDENT NIXON, YOU HAD TO SHOW THAT YOU WERE DOING SOMETHING FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES IN THE WILD.

YOU HAD TO SHOW IT WAS MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

THE WAY THE LAW IS WRITTEN POLAR BEARS ARE MARINE MAMMALS UNDER U.S. LAW.

WE'VE SAID THAT WORLD PEACE, WE CAN DO WITH ENOUGH MONEY.

EXPANDING SEA ICE WILL BE HARDER.

EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT'S LUDICROUS BUT IT IS LITERALLY THE LETTER OF THE LAW FROM ENDANGERED ACT WAS WRITTEN.

NO ONE ENVISION THE ENVIRONMENT DISAPPEARING.

SEA ICE IS DISAPPEARS.

WE CAN'T -- WE'VE BEEN DOING WORKAROUNDS.

SENATOR BLUNT WAS FABULOUS IN TRYING TO GET SOME SORT OF RATIONAL APPROACH TO THIS.

REPRESENTATIVE CLAY WAS PHENOMENAL.

WE WEREN'T ABLE TO GET IT DONE.

THAT'S ANOTHER THING WE HAVE TO BACK UP.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS TO GIVE APPROVAL FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

I'LL CALL THE PRESIDENT.

I GOT HIS NUMBER.

[LAUGHTER] >> DR. BONNER, SEEMS LIKE THERE'S AT LEAST IN SOME QUARTERS, THERE SEEMS TO BE INCREASING ADVERSARIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ZOOLOGY, ZOOLOGICAL PARK AND ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS.

IN THE FUTURE, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THAT RELATIONSHIP CHANGE?

IS IT POSSIBLE TO DO THAT?

>> JUST IN TERMS THE QUESTION, I THINK IT'S GETTING BETTER.

FOR A LONG TIME IT WAS GETTING WORSE.

THAT SEEMS TO HAVE SHIFTED AROUND.

I THINK WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS THAT WE'VE TRULY FOUND COMMON GROUND THAT ANIMAL RIGHTS, NOT ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS BUT ANIMAL RIGHT ORGANIZATIONS HAVE FOUND COMMON GROUND WITH ZOOS.

THERE ARE THING WE CARE DEEPLY ABOUT AND WE AGREE ON.

WE HAVE SO MANY THINGS THAT WE AGREE ON.

I THINK THAT WAS PART OF IT.

THE FACT THAT ZOOS DO SO MUCH MORE TO HELP ANIMALS IN THE WILD.

WE DO SO MUCH TO ENHANCE THE FUTURE OF WILD THINGS AND WILD PLACES.

I THINK THAT WAS MUCH MORE APPRECIATED NOW.

PEOPLE WILL SAY, ANIMAL RIGHTS SIDE WILL SAY, WE DON'T AGREE WITH EVERYTHING ZOO IS DOING, LOOK AT THE GOOD THINGS THEY ARE DOING.

WE'RE ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATION AND -- IT'S GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME.

>> DOCTOR, WHEN THE ZOO BOUGHT THE PROPERTY RIGHT ACROSS HIGHWAY 40 WHERE THE HOSPITAL WOULD HAVE BEEN, THERE WAS TALK OF AMONG OTHER THINGS, A PARKING LOT WITH A GONDOLA.

GOING FROM PARKING LOT TO HIGHWAY 40.

I THOUGHT IT SOUNDED BIZARRE.

IT WOULD BE SPECTACULAR.

IS THERE STILL THOUGHTS OF THAT?

>> FIRST PLACE, IT'S A GONDOLA.

>> THANK YOU.

[LAUGHTER] >> WHEN WE BOUGHT THAT PROPERTY, WE SAID THIS WAS A 2 25-YEAR PLAN.

NOW IT WILL TAKE 30 YEARS.

WE LOVE HAVING THE PROPERTY BECAUSE IT'S THERE'S A 6-STORY PARKING GARAGE THERE.

WE PARK OUR STAFF THERE AND THAT OPEN SPOT FOR VISITORS ON THE SOUTH AND NORTH BLOCK.

WE'RE THRILLED THAT WE HAVE IT.

IT'S A LONG-TERM PLAN.

THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERSHIP HAD THEIR HANDS FULL.

AFTER THAT, THEY HAVE THIS INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY.

SCOOT IS NOT -- THE ZOO IS NOT GOING TO GROW.

TO GET THE CARS OUT THE NORTH AND SOUTH LOT TO GET THEM ACROSS THE INTERSTATE TO GET THE TRAFFIC OUT THE PARK, WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY.

IN LONG-TERM, THAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING FOR THE ST. LOUIS ZOO.

>> YOU CAN HAVE WILLIE MAMMOTH IN THE PARKING LOT.

>> HAVE A BIG POLAR BEAR.

[LAUGHTER] >> WHAT KIND OF VISITOR EXPERIENCE DO YOU SEE AT THE NORTH COUNTY FACILITY?

>> SO DIFFERENT.

I FIND THE ZOO AS A PLACE WHERE ANIMALS ARE KIND OF ONE PLACE AND PEOPLE ALL THE WAY AROUND.

PEOPLE -- THERE'S A DIFFERENT KIND OF SCALE, DIFFERENT KIND OF SCOPE.

HERE THERE'S AN INTIMACY.

HERE WE PUT YOU IN VERY SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTS WITH PENGUINS OR FLIGHT CAGE.

THERE, IT'S REALLY -- WE HAVE CURATED NATURE.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

IT'S JUST BEAUTIFUL.

PLANTINGS ARE GORGEOUS.

IT'S NOT THE SAME BEING IN THE WOODS.

UP NORTH WE HAVE THE WOODS.

IT'S VERY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE.

ALMOST CONTRADICTORY OR OPPOSITE.

MOST PEOPLE AREN'T EVER GOING TO GET TO GO TO AFRICA.

I HAVE THAT PRIVILEGE.

THIS IS AS CLOSE YOU'LL GET.

>> WILL THERE BE OVERNIGHT CAMPING?

>> I CAN SEE, WE CALL IT GLAMPING.

>> I'M ON BOARD.

>> YOU WANT ME ON THE GLAMPING.

I'M NOT SLEEPING IN THE TENT.

>> WE HAVE A VERY HIGH POINT.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TREETOP LODGING.

THERE'S A WONDERFUL TOWER THAT GOES 11 STORIES UP.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HAVING THAT SO YOU CAN DO THE ARCH, DOWNTOWN AS WELL AS HAVE A UNIQUE SAFARI.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE A HOT AIR BALLOON.

I THINK THE EXPERIENCE IS JUST GOING TO BE VERY DIFFERENT.

FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT.

>> CONSTANT I HEARD YEARS AGO CALLED UNZOO WHERE ANIMAL ANIMALS ARE FREE.

IS THIS SORT OF THAT?

IS THAT JUST SOME STUPID THING SOMETHING CAME UP WITH?

IS THAT POTENTIALLY A TREND WHERE ZOOS LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT?

OBVIOUSLY, IT WOULDN'T APPLY TO ALL THE REPTILES OR WHATEVER.

THE IDEA THAT THE ANIMALS WOULD MOVE ABOUT MORE FREELY AND BE MORE LIKE THEY ARE LOOKING AT US INSTEAD OF WE'RE LOOKING AT THEM.

>> I THINK THAT'S A FAIR QUESTION.

COMING OUT THE GATE WHAT I WOULD SAY, THERE'S GOING TO BE A PLACE FOR A GREAT URBAN ZOO.

WHAT YOU'RE SAYING I THINK IS VERY TRUE AND INSIGHTFUL.

I DON'T THINK YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THE SAME ANIMALS HERE AT THE ST. LOUIS ZOO NOW THAT YOU WILL SAY 25 OR 30 YEARS FROM NOW.

I THINK LOT OF WHAT SCIENTISTS CALL CHARISMATIC.

THE BIG GUYS, YOU MIGHT FIND MORE IN OPEN SPACES LIKE WHAT WE HAVE UP NORTH.

THAT WOULD NOT SURPRISE ME.

THAT WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME AT ALL.

YOU HAVE TO SAY TO YOURSELF, WOW, WHAT WE HOLD IN ZOOS HAS BEEN CHANGING FOR THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS.

IT'S GOT TO CHANGE OVER THE NEXT HUNDRED.

WHEN DESIGNING UP NORTH, THEY'RE MAKING SEVERAL THINGS GENERIC.

YOU WHAT'S REALLY FASCINATING TO ME ABOUT WILD CARE PARK IS THAT EVERY ANIMAL THAT WE'RE REARING THERE EITHER HAS A RECOVERY PLAN THAT WE CAN BRING IT BACK FROM THE BRINK OR BECAUSE WE HAVE IT THERE, WE CAN GENERATE A RECOVERY PLAN.

I'VE NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE WHERE YOU CAN GO AND SAY, YES, EVERYTHING THERE ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION.

THANKS TO WHAT THIS ORGANIZATION IS DOING, WE HAVE A REAL CHANCE.

THAT'S A FUNDAMENTAL AND PROFOUND WAY OF GOING AFTER THINGS.

THAT SEEMS TO BE PRETTY POWERFUL APPROACH TO TAKE.

>> WELL, OVER THE PAST YEAR, I'M IN THE ZOO, I'M LOOKING AT ALL THESE OTHER ANIMALS THEY COME TO LOOK AT ME.

OVER THE LAST YEAR, THERE HAVEN'T BEEN AS MANY PEOPLE.

DID THE ANIMALS REALIZE THAT?

DID YOU GUYS TAKE NOTE SAY, THEY ARE MORE ACTIVE OR THEY ARE MORE THIS OR THAT JUST BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WEREN'T THERE?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

WE HAD BEHAVIORAL SCIENTISTS.

WE'RE DOING CAMERA MONITORING.

WE PICKED FOUR DIFFERENT SPECIES.

WE HAD BEFORE AND DURING WE'RE GETTING AFTER TOO.

I CAN TELL YOU ANECDOTALLY, THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE HERE REALLY.

I WOULD WALK ACROSS THE CAMPUS AND IF THE GRIZZLY SAW ME, THEY WOULD RUN TO THE WINDOW AND START JUMPING UP AND DOWN.

THE SEA LIFE IS HEART BREAKING, ESPECIALLY THE ONE LITTLE GIRL THAT WE HAVE, HUGE DARK EYES.

IT'S JUST LIKE PLEASE, COME AND PLAY.

I WOULD EVERY SINGLE TIME.

I ALWAYS FELT FEELING HEART BROKEN MYSELF.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> DOCTOR, WHEN THE GRIZZLIES CAME RUNNING UP TO YOU, DO YOU THINK IT WAS WITH AFFECTION?

[LAUGHTER] DO THEY WANT TO GET AT YOU?

[LAUGHTER] >> I CAN TELL THAT IT WAS AFFECTIONATE.

I WOULD OCCASIONALLY GO UP TO THE SIDE OF THE TRAILS.

WHICH IS THE BEST THING THE ZOO HAS DONE.

IT WON'T OPEN UNTIL JULY.

IT'S PHENOMENAL.

YOU HAD TO WALK BY THE TIGER TO GET THERE.

THE TIGER DID NOT LOOK AT ME AFFECTIONATAFFECTIONATELY.

I WAS CLEAR THAT WASN'T AFFECTIONATE.

>> WE HAVE 30 SECONDS TO GO.

IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT JACK HANNAH FROM THE COLUMBUS ZOO HAS DEMENTIA AND RETIRING FROM PUBLIC LIFE.

>> HE IS A REMARKABLE MAN.

WONDERFUL MAN.

HE A GREAT CAREER.

HE WAS A GREAT AMBASSADOR FOR LOT OF THINGS.

JUST A LOVELY MAN.

WE OWE HIM A DEBT OF GRATITUDE >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE OWE YOU FOR YOUR TIME TONIGHT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> I APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU.

>> DR. JEFFREY BONNER CEO AND PRESIDENT OF THE ST. LOUIS ZOO.

THAT'S IT EVERYBODY.

SEE YOU NEXT TIME ON 9 PBS.