Schroeder was the director of the San Diego Zoo from 1954-1972, after serving as a veterinarian with the Zoo from 1932-1937 and again from 1939-1941. He conceived the idea of Wild Animal Park, and built the Zoo into an internationally respected institution. Schroeder built up revenue sources (including food and merchandise) and continually upgraded the zoo so it could eventually support itself. He also installed the Children's Zoo, the Skyfari aerial tramway, built enclosures with moats to replace barred cages, remodeled the animal hospital, and expanded the research staff. Schroeder retired in 1972, right after the Wild Animal Park opened, and was named Mr. San Diego that same year. When he first arrived, the Zoo's annual budget was $500K and admission was 75 cents. By the time he retired, admission had doubled and the budget was $12 million.

In this interview, Doctor Schroeder discusses the following topics: where he was born and grew up in Brooklyn; how he got interested in veterinary medicine; first impressions and early memories of working at the Zoo; descriptions of his duties as a veterinarian and pathologist, research problems; zoo structures built in his earliest years; memorable animals and encounters; the relationship between the Zoo and the city of San Diego in the 1930s; fond recollections of founder Harry Wegeforth; many incidental anecdotes about people who worked at the Zoo; how Schroeder conceived of the Wild Animal Park and how they raised the funds for its construction; Chuck Faust and his role as the architect of the Wild Animal Park; the team effort involved with the Wild Animal Park; the earliest animals to arrive at the park; success in breeding; and Schroeder's future hopes and plans for the Zoo's next 25 years.

The interviewer is Director of the Center for Regional History at San Diego State University. This interview (the first of two of Schroeder) are part of a collaborative prroject between the Zoological Society of San Diego and the Center. It was conducted at the Wild Animal Park (from 2010 the San Diego Zoo Safari Park).

• Oral Histories

• San Diego State University Library and Information Access, Special Collections and University Archives