Zoo Director

The Sedgwick County Zoological Society and Sedgwick County are pleased to announce Dr. Jeff Ettling has been named next Executive Director of your Sedgwick County Zoo. Ettling will fill the position May 22.

“Dr. Ettling’s exceptional background made him the right person to lead the Sedgwick County Zoo,” said Dave Unruh, Sedgwick County Commission Chairman. “We look forward to the continued opportunities for the Zoo.”

Ettling is an experienced Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) zoo professional with 29 years' experience, the last 25 in an animal curator position, including his most recent position as Curator of Herpetology at Saint Louis Zoo. Ettling served in the same role at Sedgwick County Zoo from 1991-1995 and is returning to Wichita to serve as executive director.

“We’re excited to welcome Jeff back to Sedgwick County Zoo as executive director,” said Mark DeVries, president of the Sedgwick County Zoological Society board of trustees. “His decades of experience in curator and zoo management positions, including animal husbandry, safety, budget development and oversight, strategic planning and more will guide the Sedgwick Country Zoo to our next successful era.”

Ettling is an active professional fellow with AZA and has served on several committees and advisory groups. He currently serves on the AZA Field Conservation Committee, as an adviser to the AZA Wildlife Conservation and Management Committee and as an AZA Accreditation Inspector. He earned a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics at the University of SEDGWICK COUNTY MANAGER’S OFFICE 525 N. MAIN SUITE 343 WICHITA, KANSAS 67203-3703 Missouri, –St. Louis, with an emphasis in conservation biology, spatial ecology and population genetics. In addition, he serves as director for conservation programs in Western Asia and Missouri.

The Sedgwick County Zoo is a not-for-profit organization, accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information, visit www.aza.org. Sedgwick County Zoo is also a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums www.waza.org. Sedgwick County Zoo has been recognized with national and international awards for its support of field conservation programs and successful breeding of rare and endangered species. It's the No. 1 outdoor family tourist attraction in Kansas and is home to more than 3,000 animals of nearly 400 different species. For more information, visit www.scz.org.