SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - After decades of dedication, the face and voice of Zoo Miami is calling it a career.
In a video message released Sunday, Ron Magill said he is ready to retire.
“Hi, everyone. In the words of Rafiki, from one of my favorite movies, ‘The Lion King,’ it is time,” he said.
It’s a bittersweet announcement for South Floridians who cherished Magill as a wildlife icon and renowned conservationist.
“After 46 years of an extraordinary journey, with deep gratitude and heartfelt reflection, I announce my retirement from Zoo Miami,” said Magill in his video.
Magill served as wildlife expert and communications director for Zoo Miami for nearly half a century. He told 7News the move is about nothing more than enjoying the fruits of his labor.
“Don’t wait till you’re too old to enjoy the things that you worked for,” he said. “I want to be able to travel with my wife, I want to be able to do things while I still can.”
The 65-year-old received an outpouring of love via social media that celebrated his many career achievements.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s statement reads in part:
“Through his work at Zoo Miami, he did more than introduce us to animals. Ron helped us understand wildlife, respect it, and care about protecting it.”
A spokesperson with Make-A-Wish Southern Florida echoing that sentiment, writing:
“How do you quantify all the hope, strength, and joy he brought – often when it was needed the most – to the lives of the critically-ill children and families we serve? Ron’s passion for kids, animals, and our mission made any day with him at Zoo Miami one that would be remembered for a lifetime.”
Among the causes Magill cared deeply about was protecting wildlife like the pine rocklands.
“We as county employees of the zoo have been told we are forbidden from speaking about his project, from giving opinions about this project, so I have to go out as a private citizen, take a day off, come to my home to speak about this, because I’m passionate about it,” he told 7News in a 2023 interview.
Magill also spent much of his career teaching children about animals.
“I get much more about of this than the kids ever get,” he said in a video from Make-A-Wish Southern Florida.
The local legend became a household name in Miami-Dade over the years.
Families who came to the zoo on this holiday weekend reacted to Magill’s announcement.
“Like, my entire life, he’s been attached to the zoo,” said Josh Paulen.
“He does a lot of great things. The zoo has really stepped up while he’s been here — all the different charity events he does here and the different events he does to raise money for the zoo,” Brad Scudder, a decades-long South Florida resident. “He’s been a great inspiration to this area, and I’m sorry to see him go.”
Parents at the zoo shared what they appreciate most about him.
“I mean, he is so outspoken for the animals. I feel like it’s a legacy that he leaves behind; it’s so special, like, part of the reason we love the zoo so much,” said Paulen. “We have a membership, we come here all the time with [our children].”
“I think it’s going to be a big loss for the zoo. I think he’s contributed a lot to the community and to what he’s brought that our family enjoys a lot as, you know, living in Miami, so we will be missing him,” said Carolina Quintana.
“So, Ron, as two Gators [fans] and a Gator family, we’re proud of Ron and what he’s done for Miami, and the kids, more importantly,” said Juan Carlos Quintana. “Every time we come for field trips, he’s always here, showing the kids different things and talking about the animals, so we’re definitely going to miss the passion he brings.”
Magill is not going far, though. He is set to remain active as a goodwill ambassador and conservation liaison for the Zoo Miami Foundation, a position they created to keep him close.
“I will never be able to say thank you enough to this community, and I hope that I can continue, through the foundation, to fight for conservation, to fight for wildlife and to unite the community,” he said.
Magill said his last official day as the zoo’s communications director will be May 10.
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