Ric Urban has worked in AZA institutions for over 30 years. Over the decades, he has worked for 5 different institutions and a diverse collection of animals from snails to sea lions. Ric has worked for the Sunset Zoo in Manhattan, KS, Avicultural Breeding and Research Center, Loxahatchee, FL (now extinct), Houston Zoo, Texas, Prospect Park Zoo/ Wildlife Conservation Society – Brooklyn, NY and for the past 11 years the Newport Aquarium. From keeper to Curator, Ric has helped design and build exhibits that excite, engage and empower the guests to do more for conservation when they leave our facilities.
As Chief Conservation Officer, Ric is focused in making a greater impact in conservation efforts with the Newport Aquarium and the WAVE Foundation at the Newport Aquarium partnering with other institutions in crocodilian conservation initiatives around the world.
Ric is an active member of AZA as an Accreditation Inspector and member of the AZA Animal Welfare Committee as well as many other species steering committees and advisory groups.
E: ricurban@aol.com