Sunset at the Zoo

My Extraordinary Life as a Zoo Director. From merciful acts of compassion to vindictive acts of litigation, Sunset at the Zoo examines the clash between the popularity of seeing exotic animals and the realities of compassionately managing captive species. On the other side of children’s wide eyes and adults’ fascination with the newest zoo attractions, is the zoo director’s ethical responsibility behind the scenes. Of the more than 175 million annual zoo goers, only a handful are aware of the complexities and corruption inherent in the dark underside of zookeeping. Author Steve Graham’s controversial career as director of the Salisbury Zoo, the Baltimore Zoo, and the Detroit Zoo brought dramatic improvements to each facility. He advocated vigorously for animals against powerful, if sometimes misguided organizations such as PETA, that sued him for a $1 million suit for the euthanasia of four profoundly infirmed Siberian tigers. The author takes you inside political intrigues, heartless abuse, lucrative trafficking of innocent animals and more – and his tireless championing for them. Many animal enthusiasts worldwide including Jane Goodall, Sydney Pollack, and Oprah Winfrey have lauded his efforts.