A grand tour of some of the world's outstanding zoos with Anthony Smith

Wherever you go in Frankfurt you will see a signpost to the zoo, and wherever you go in the zoo you will very soon know who is in charge. Whether you visit one of the animal enclosures or an amazing building called the Exotarium it will be the voice of the Director, Dr Bernhard Grzimek, that you will hear, either from loud-speakers or in a pocket-sized radio receiver.

His voice is one of the best known in Germany. He has his own nation-wide animal programme on television, with an audience of millions. He writes books, edits magazines, makes films, influences public opinion with hard-hitting articles in the newspapers, and has an international reputation in the world of conservation.

What sort of influence does Dr Grzimek have on Frankfurt Zoo, on the sort of animal collection it has, on the way the animals are displayed? How important is it to have one man in charge? And if you have one man, what sort of a man should he be?

(from Bristol)