# Daniel M. Ashe

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American wildlife politician

Daniel M. Ashe Ashe in 2014 President and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Incumbent Assumed office 2017 16th Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service In office February 2011 – January 2017 Deputy Director for Policy of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Science Advisor to the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service In office 2003–2003 Chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System In office 1998–2003 Personal details Education University of Washington

**Daniel M. Ashe** is an American wildlife conservationist. He is the President and CEO of the [Association of Zoos and Aquariums](/source/Association_of_Zoos_and_Aquariums).[1]

## Education

Ashe graduated from the [University of Washington](/source/University_of_Washington) with a degree in Marine Affairs, and also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biological science from [Florida State University](/source/Florida_State_University). He wrote his master's thesis on wetland mitigation, and it was published in the Coastal Zone Management Journal in 1982.[2]

## Political positions

Ashe was the 16th Director of the [United States Fish and Wildlife Service](/source/United_States_Fish_and_Wildlife_Service) (USFWS) from February 2011 to January 2017. The [United States Senate](/source/United_States_Senate) held a hearing on his nomination on February 15, 2011[3] and confirmed him to the post by [unanimous consent](/source/Unanimous_consent) on June 30, 2011.[4] Ashe used to be Deputy Director for Policy of the [United States Fish and Wildlife Service](/source/United_States_Fish_and_Wildlife_Service) (USFWS). His prior positions included being a member of the staff of the [Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries](/source/Committee_on_Merchant_Marine_and_Fisheries) (1982–95), Chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System (1998-2003), and Science Advisor to the Director of the USFWS (2003).[2]

## Controversies

Ashe has stated that 80 percent of animals acquired for AZA-accredited zoos are taken from the wild and that he has a "fundamental disagreement" with people who have issues with animals in states of confinement. He claimed that "we are all captive in some regards to social and ethical and religious and other constraints on our life and our activities." His comments have given validation to the idea that animals are for entertainment and profit.[5]

He invited a speaker from [The Humane Society of the United States](/source/The_Humane_Society_of_the_United_States) (HSUS) to give a keynote address at the AZA's annual meeting and allowed [People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals](/source/People_for_the_Ethical_Treatment_of_Animals) (PETA) to have a booth, both of which were criticized by AZA members for Ashe's alignment with organizations that campaign to close zoos.[6]

## Personal life

He lives in Maryland with his family.[2]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Daniel M. Ashe](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Daniel_M._Ashe).

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Our Staff: Association of Zoos & Aquariums"](https://www.aza.org/staff). *www.aza.org*. Retrieved March 6, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BIO_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BIO_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-BIO_2-2) ["U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Deputy Director: Daniel M. Ashe"](https://www.fws.gov/offices/biodanielash.html). [United States Fish and Wildlife Service](/source/United_States_Fish_and_Wildlife_Service). September 1, 2009. Retrieved February 25, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Nomination of Daniel M. Ashe to be Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Hearing Before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, February 15, 2011](https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo46026)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-S4303_4-0)** [U.S. Senate](/source/United_States_Senate) (June 30, 2011). ["EXECUTIVE SESSION"](https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2011/6/30/senate-section/article/s4303-4?resultIndex=2). *[Congressional Record](/source/Congressional_Record) online*. [Government Publishing Office](/source/Government_Publishing_Office). p. S4303. Retrieved August 17, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Zoos aren't for animals. They're for us"](https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/23914885/zoo-animals-conservation-endangered-threatened-species-sanctuaries). Vox.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["AZA CEO Humiliated by NY Times"](https://humanewatch.org/aza-ceo-humiliated-by-ny-times/). Humane Watch.

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