Celebrating the Life and Legacy of MARY LIERAS
Mary Lieras was a remarkable woman whose life was defined by curiosity, compassion, and an unwavering devotion to animals. Her career in wildlife care began in 1972 at the San Diego Wild Animal Park (now the San Diego Zoo Safari Park), where she started in Mombasa before moving into the Animal Services Department. There, Mary worked in both the Care Center and the Village, nurturing countless young animals—including gorillas and giraffes—many of whom depended on her steady hands and quiet confidence in their earliest days.
When the Park’s bird department was established, Mary eagerly stepped into what would become one of her most beloved roles. She developed a deep affection for hornbills, particularly the Abyssinian ground hornbills Charlie and Suzy, who held a special place in her heart. One of Mary’s proudest professional achievements was her research on ground hornbill chick rearing, conducted in collaboration with Dr. Kurt Benirschke. By installing a camera inside a nest box, Mary gathered valuable insights into hornbill parental care—work that reflected both her scientific rigor and her profound respect for animal behavior.
A life-defining moment came when Mary traveled to Africa for the first time, spending a week canoeing down the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe. There, she experienced many of the species she had cared for at the Park—this time in their natural habitats. Seeing these animals in the wild left a lasting imprint on her and deepened her already profound commitment to wildlife and conservation.
That experience ultimately sparked Mary’s next great adventure: a six-month journey that took her from San Diego to Alaska, across Canada, and then down to Florida. Following this journey, Mary earned her teaching credential, but she soon realized that a traditional classroom could never match the power of learning through animals. Answering that call once more, she returned to the San Diego Zoo, where she became a Lead Keeper at the Children’s Zoo and eventually rose to the role of Curator.
In that position, Mary helped inspire children and colleagues alike, modeling empathy and joy while fostering meaningful connections between people and wildlife. Her ability to teach through presence, care, and quiet enthusiasm left a lasting mark on all who worked alongside her.
Mary retired in 2010, embracing a life rich in nature and companionship. She spent her days outdoors with her beloved horses, Cece and Mija, and her many dogs—especially her cherished Lucy. A passionate conservationist, Mary was also one of the earliest members of Wildlife Madagascar, supporting our mission with the same loyalty and care that defined every chapter of her life.
Mary will be remembered for her deep love and concern for wildlife, her fierce loyalty to family and friends, and her adventurous spirit that carried her across landscapes and through life with curiosity and grace. Her legacy lives on in the animals she protected, the people she mentored, and the many lives—human and wild—that are better because she was part of them.