In 1986, the Lincoln Children’s Zoo took a long shot on a young kid working at the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana. Now, nearly 38 years later, John Chapo will hang up his pith helmet.
John Chapo has served the Lincoln Children’s Zoo (LCZ) in various capacities over his long tenure. From humble beginnings as a concession stand worker, Chapo nurtured his wildlife career into the role of President and CEO of the zoo.
KLIN News caught up with Chapo — who has become no stranger to media, often fulfilling the Zoo’s media relations role — ahead of his retirement. He said when he first moved here, it was only expected to be a brief stint.
“Well, you know what? I fell in love with the zoo. I fell in love with the community, and I fell in love. My beautiful wife and I have been married for over 35 years, and Lincoln is home,” Chapo reflected.
A vintage photo of Chapo, standing in front of a LCZ dressed city bus, with feathered friends on both hands. (Courtesy Lincoln Children’s Zoo)
Chapo has overseen numerous LCZ expansions over the decades, and introduced new fauna experiences the city has never seen before. “Giraffes, cheetahs, tigers, giant anteaters, swinging monkeys,” he listed, “We’ve brought endangered species. We’re one of the leading propagators of the matschie’s tree-kangaroo, red pandas, and giraffes.”
Every now and then, Chapo’s work led him overseas, with conservation missions in far away countries like Botswana and South Africa. Famed wildlife photographer for National Geographic magazine and UNL graduate Joel Sartori launched his career at LCZ. “[Joel’s career] all started with a naked mole rat at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo, and it’s grown now to be in a global project to help get the word out about conserving endangered species,” he shared, “I’m so very fortunate to be a little part of that.”
Chapo steering a LCZ vehicle near the tiger observatory. (Courtesy Lincoln Children’s Zoo)
Chapo said he has countless fond memories from his time at LCZ, including a trip to the White House in 2006 to accept the nation’s highest honor for institutions making exceptional contributions to their communities, the National Award for Museum and Library Service, presented to Chapo by First Lady Laura Bush.
“It’s very phenomenal. I’ve traveled to six different continents, taking people to see wild tigers in India and elephants in Africa, all these great things. But the biggest thing I’m most proud of: More than 60 years ago, LCZ Founder Arnott Folsom had this dream to connect kids with critters and nature… We have kept the dream alive. We’re connecting kids every day with animals from around the world, getting them to be passionate about helping to save them from extinction and to care. So that’s what I’m really proud about.”
For 38 years, Chapo’s north star was love for the Lincoln community, “When I get to walk through the zoo and see a kids eyes light up when they’re feeding a giraffe or petting a bunny rabbit — That’s what kept me going, getting up every morning, going to the Lincoln Children’s Zoo.”
Chapo technically relinquished his role as the Zoo’s President/CEO in 2022, and has acted as President Emeritus over the last two years, lending his expertise to continued resource development, media appearances, and strategic planning, providing a seamless transition in leadership for the Zoo’s new Chief Executive Officer Evan Killeen. But even now, as Chapo nears his official retirement on December 31st, you’ll probably still see him around the zoo-grounds.
“My zoo coworkers, they’re all family to me. I’m not running away,” Chapo assured, “I’ll be a little bit more casual walking around the zoo, which I’m looking forward to. I’ll be doing a little traveling with my wife, I’m a CASA volunteer to help kids in the foster system, I’m going to help Joe Sartori with The Photo Ark, so I’ve got things to do in my retirement. I want to do some gardening, do some bicycle riding, and do some relaxing, and reading.”
Chapo offered a farewell, and final thanks, “To my fellow coworkers, our great team, the board of directors, and supporters: Thank you, everybody, for giving me 38 great, wonderful years… Lincoln, you’ll see me around town. Say hi to the old guy with the white beard, and I’d be really happy to say hi.”
Chapo, caught in confetti rainfall during a LCZ ribbon cutting ceremony, attended by Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and then Governor Pete Ricketts. (Courtesy Lincoln Children’s Zoo)