Edward H. Bean became the first Zoo Director. The great strides gained by the Washington Park Zoo in its early years have been directly attributed to Bean’s competency and leadership.  One such great stride involved the Zoo’s first fundraising effort, spearheaded by Henry “Heine” Bulder, one of the founding members of the Washington Park Zoological Society. The fundraiser resulted in the purchase of an elephant. “Countess Heine” was purchased for $1,500.  The money was raised through the sale of elephant buttons and a special concert.  Countess Heine was a favorite of Zoo visitors for more than 16 years, and can be attributed to creating a tremendous amount of public support and enthusiasm for the “new” Zoo. 
Also in 1906, longtime zookeeper Charles A. Stanke was first hired as a temporary employee.  Stanke’s duty was to cut weeds on Zoo grounds.  He grew to be head zookeeper, and for 48 years guided the steady growth of the Washington Park Zoo from a tiny collection of animals to one of the best Zoos in the country.  From 1910, he presided at the birth of every important animal.  He gained nationwide attention for his success in raising captive polar bears and was recognized as one of the best animal experts in the world.