Ron Magill’s lifetime with wildlife at Zoo Miami

Ron Magill of Zoo Miami shares the milestones, challenges, and the future of conservation in South Florida

Ron Magill has spent nearly 46 years at Zoo Miami, and this year, he witnessed a rather rare and joyous milestone. Goliath, the zoo’s 135-year-old Galapagos tortoise, became a father for the very first time. Despite decades of failed attempts, the zoo staff’s patience and careful habitat changes finally brought success.

Not only did one hatchling emerge, but another hidden egg also produced a second baby, giving Goliath two offspring after more than 40 years at the zoo. It is the first time a Galapagos tortoise has successfully reproduced in Zoo Miami’s 45-year history. Since these tortoises are endangered and extremely difficult to breed in captivity, the achievement is a major conservation victory.

Magill has cared for Goliath since his arrival from the Bronx Zoo decades ago, so for him it was also a very personal and proud achievement.

Saying goodbye to beloved animals

On one hand, there are Goliath’s babies, but on the other hand, Magill also has to deal with heartbreaking goodbyes. Recently, Zoo Miami said farewell to a pair of lions, Jabari and Kwame.

Magill explained that staff are told not to grow too attached to the animals, but he admits that advice is nearly impossible to follow. Jabari and Kwame were males who raised families and became the pride of the zoo. Their passing was especially difficult. They helped inspire Magill to write a book, Pride of a Lion.

“The hardest part of this job is saying goodbye,” Magill said. “But I’d rather give an animal a peaceful end than let it suffer just because we don’t want to let go.”

The bigger picture of conservation

Magill clearly explains the difference between animals living safely in zoos and those struggling in the wild. While Zoo Miami protects from climate change, predators, and habitat loss, their wild counterparts face growing threats every day.

There have been many success stories in the past made possible through zoo-led breeding programs. In the 1980s, the California condor had only 22 birds left in the world. Thanks to zoos, hundreds now fly free again. Other examples include the Arabian oryx, black-footed ferret, and red wolf. These are all species brought back from the brink.

Ron Magill believes zoos serve as insurance policies for species survival. At the same time, he understands that most animals born in captivity will never be released into the wild because they lack the skills to survive. Still, maintaining healthy populations is essential in case wild numbers collapse.

Inspiring the next generation

Magill hopes that zoos inspire young people to care about wildlife. He believes that young people nowadays are more conscious of the environment than previous generations ever were. They sincerely care about the environment and are dedicated to preserving it.

He thinks that having direct contact with animals can have a significant effect. Growing up in New York, he himself was inspired by trips to the Bronx Zoo and TV shows like Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. His experiences kindled a spark that led him to choose his career path, and he wants the next generation to feel that same spark.

Ron Magill insists that conservation messages need to be engaging and fun. Instead of long and boring lectures, he wants the zoo to inspire through storytelling, community programs, and hands-on encounters. Recycling, water conservation, and supporting wildlife projects can become inspired with that first moment of wonder a child feels when seeing an animal up close.

Building for the future

Zoo Miami continues to grow and modernize its facilities to care for animals and educate visitors. A brand-new $25 million hospital will soon be built on zoo grounds. It will be located in a public area where visitors can observe procedures to learn more about veterinary care.

The zoo is also renovating major exhibits, including a state-of-the-art tiger habitat supported by the Milton Family Trust. Plans are in motion for a new great ape facility that could bring back gorillas, as well as upgrades to the giraffe feeding areas.

To protect aging and vulnerable animals, the zoo is focused on preventative medicine through its One Health program, which merges animal and human health. Medical students from FIU collaborate with Zoo Miami’s veterinarians to conduct regular exams on animals, including bloodwork, X-rays, dental care, and complete physicals to catch infections or abscesses early, since wild animals instinctively hide signs of illness.

Animal keepers will also play a crucial role in identifying subtle behavioral changes, such as limping, appetite loss, changes in urine, or other red flags that may indicate health concerns.

The impact of hurricane Andrew

Hurricane Andrew destroyed countless buildings and habitats, but Ron Magill believes it was a turning point for both Zoo Miami and South Florida.

“It was incredible to witness the survival instincts animals have,” he said. “The whole experience taught me to never underestimate the power of nature.”

Since then, Zoo Miami has reinforced its infrastructure to withstand stronger hurricanes. And given how climate change now brings additional threats like sea level rise, saltwater intrusion, and extreme weather events, conservation has become more urgent.

Standing up for what’s right

Over his four decades of career, Magill has faced challenges outside the zoo as well. One of his proudest moments was standing against a proposed water park that developers wanted to build on zoo property. He argued it would have damaged endangered species habitat and likely failed as a business, just as other South Florida water parks had.

Despite warnings that speaking out could end his career, Magill refused to stay quiet. He rallied public support, especially from local university students, and eventually the mayor canceled the project before it went to a vote. Though the county now faces lawsuits, Magill sees it as a victory for ethics and conservation.

“The county was incensed at me,” Magill said. “But you stand up for what you believe in, no matter the risk, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

A career of dedication

From his start as a zookeeper at the old Crandon Park Zoo to becoming the public voice of Zoo Miami, Magill’s career has been influenced by mentors who taught him to value the people working beside him. He says leadership meant understanding that those under your charge are more important than those above you.

Among his proudest achievements is the creation of the Ron Magill Conservation Endowment in 2016. Today, it holds more than $3 million and funds over $100,000 a year for scholarships and wildlife projects. It was born out of frustration that zoos spend heavily on exhibits but too little on protecting animals in the wild. A major gift from philanthropist Mike Fernandez helped push the fund over its first million-dollar goal.

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