LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Charles Doyle upon the occasion of his
retirement after many years of distinguished service to the Rosamond
Gifford Zoo

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to hereby honor indi-
viduals who have been instrumental in the animal conservation process
and who have enriched our communities through their passionate work and
dedicated leadership; one such individual is Charles Doyle; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Charles Doyle upon the occasion of his retirement as Director of the
Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park in Syracuse, New York; and
WHEREAS, Charles "Chuck" Doyle joined the Rosamond Gifford Zoo,
formerly known as Burnet Park Zoo, as an Elephant Handler in 1978; he
quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a Senior Zoo Keeper in 1982, a
Curator of Mammals in 1993, and a General Curator in 1999; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, Charles Doyle was promoted to the esteemed position
of Director of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo; and
WHEREAS, Over his long and distinguished career, Charles Doyle devel-
oped a remarkable rapport with the zoo's elephant population, gaining
international recognition for his outstanding work and achievements with
Asian elephants; and
WHEREAS, He has received numerous awards and accolades, some of which
include both the President's Award and the Founder's Award by the
Elephant Managers Association, as well as the President's Award by the
Association of Zoos and Aquariums; and
WHEREAS, Wanting to help other zoos and parks across the country,
Charles Doyle has also served as a professional Animal Care Consultant
and has written numerous publications on the management of Asian
elephants; and
WHEREAS, Charles Doyle remained as the Director of the Rosamond
Gifford Zoo until the completion of the new Asian Elephant Preserve in
June of 2011; the Preserve is a spacious facility he championed in order
to elevate the zoo's elephant breeding program and give the zoo the
distinction of having one of the top five Asian elephant collections in
the United States; and
WHEREAS, A longtime resident of the Syracuse area, Charles Doyle first
graduated from Auburn Community College and then CW Post College in
Greenvale; currently, he resides in Jordan, New York, with his wife,
Mary Jo; and
WHEREAS, Under Charles Doyle's leadership, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in
Syracuse, New York, which is accredited by the Association of Zoos and
Aquariums, has made continuous improvements and additions to promote
outstanding public recreation and education, maintain the highest level
of animal care, and remain a treasured attraction in Central New York;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore; be a
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Charles Doyle upon the occasion of his retirement after many years
of distinguished service to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Charles Doyle, Jordan, New York.