Lincoln Park Zoo Names First Female Director

CHICAGO, IL - Megan Ross, a longtime Lincoln Park Zoo employee, became the first female director in the zoo's 150-year history this week. Lincoln Park Zoo President and CEO Kevin Bell announced the promotion of Ross, who most recently served as executive vice president at the zoo.

“Lincoln Park Zoo’s vision is to inspire communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world,” said Bell. “With her passion for animal welfare, science and community engagement, no one is more equipped than Megan Ross to bring this vision to fruition while upholding the legacy of this 150 year-old institution.”

Among Ross' most significant accomplishments and contributions in her 18 years at the zoo are the launching of ZooMonitor, an animal behavior monitoring app dedicated to understand the needs of animals and adjust their care, according to a news release. Currently, the app is used across 26 countries by more than 280 institutions.

Her experience at the zoo includes roles as the Hope B. McCormick Curator of Birds, General Curator and Vice President of Animal Care.

The promotion of Ross also makes her the first zoo director since it privatized in 1995.

Photo courtesy of Lincoln Park Zoo