MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — Ron Magill was back to work at Zoo Miami on President’s Day, one day after receiving an outpouring of well-wishes following his surprise retirement announcement on Sunday.
Magill, 65, has worked at the zoo for more than four decades. The wildlife expert and photographer is set to retire from his role as zoo communications director on May 10.
In his announcement, posted to social media, Magill said, “In the words of Rafiki ― from one of my favorite movies, The Lion King ― ‘it is time.’”
He said he’s touched by the response to that announcement.
“First of all, I’m totally overwhelmed by the reaction,” he told Local 10 News. “I just was announcing because I wanted friends to know. I didn’t think anyone truly cared.
“The incredible warmth and kindness that has been expressed to me, I really don’t know what to say.”
Magill began his career at the Miami Serpentarium, later joining the Crandon Park Zoo in 1980, the earliest iteration of the Zoo Miami we know today.
His work has taken him to every corner of the world.
“I’ve had this job where I’ve never had to work a day in my life and it’s been a dream come true,” he said.
Local 10 News has traveled with Magill repeatedly over the years as part of our Eco Hero specials, bringing along anchor Kristi Krueger and a lucky local student with a passion for conservation for once-in-a-lifetime adventures.
The endeavors are only possible through the Ron Magill Conservation Endowment at the Zoo Miami Foundation.
“Those would not be possible without Local 10,” Magill said. “The South Florida media is the foundation of everything I do because they have provided me with a platform to tell a story and Local 10 did so more than anybody else.”
Magill’s work brought him into our homes through the airwaves. It also allowed him to form personal bonds with children he met through the Make-A-Wish Foundation and regular Zoo Miami visitors.
Local 10 News reporter Liane Morejon shared a moment from 2015 when Magill agreed to meet her nephews, longtime fans of Magill and his work.
“The impact I’ve been able to have on kids has been the most important impact in my life, because at the end of the day, those kids will be the ones who grow up to make the decisions,” Magill said. “And I know that if I can get them to care about animals, care about wildlife, they’ll make the decisions to protect it in the future.”
Magill will continue his passion by being the goodwill ambassador for Zoo Miami.
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