Don Moore

Dr. Don Moore has been a zoo-based endangered species conservation specialist and animal behaviorist for over 40 years. He recently retired as Director of the Oregon Zoo and currently serves as an advisor to Polar Bears International. He also serves as a Smithsonian senior science advisor and as an advisor to zoos and aquariums around the world.

Prior to directing the Oregon Zoo, he led the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Animal Care Sciences team, and, before that, worked as a curator, animal behavior programs leader, and director in the Wildlife Conservation Society’s constellation of zoos and global conservation programs. He was the founding vice-chair of the Animal Welfare Committee for the American Zoo & Aquarium Association (AZA). While he was chair of the AZA Bear Taxon Advisory Group, he helped spearhead a nationwide effort to reduce stereotypic behavior (stress) in captive polar bears.

Dr. Moore holds a PhD from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and has published over four dozen papers or manuals on animal husbandry and behavior; serves as a peer-reviewer for scientific journals; and has received national and local awards for his work. He is the author of the children's natural history book, Disney's Wonderful World of Animals.