Eric Andary is the curator of humane education at the Detroit Zoo, where he leads a dedicated team committed to creating meaningful connections between people, animals, and the natural world so all can thrive. A lifelong visitor and admirer of the Zoo, Eric considers it a dream come true to contribute to an organization that champions the future of wildlife both locally and globally.

At the heart of Eric’s work is the Berman Academy for Humane Education, an initiative of the Detroit Zoo that promotes compassion, empathy, and respect for animals, people, and the environment. His mission is to ensure that all learning labs, outreach programs, and camp programs offered by the Detroit Zoo education department are infused with a humane education lens.

Eric and his team recently developed a series of Wildlife Protectors programs, which include interactive educational experiences that introduce young learners, from preschool through middle school, to the complex issues of illegal wildlife trafficking and the exotic pet trade. Through storytelling and role playing, these programs cultivate empathy for the animals at the Detroit Zoo and their wild counterparts around the world.

Driven by a belief that action should be accessible to all, Eric has always emphasized empowering students with meaningful, cost-free ways to make a difference — whether through school-wide initiatives or everyday choices. For him, humane education is about recognizing our deep connection to the world around us and the opportunity we have to coexist peacefully with all living beings.

After attending the 2025 Association of Professional Humane Educators (APHE) Annual Conference, Eric is energized to be part of a vibrant community of educators who share his vision for a more compassionate future.