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Safari Wild Founders Face $46,000 In Swiftmud Fines

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By BAIRD HELGESON

bhelgeson@tampatrib.com

Published: December 3, 2008

Updated: 12/03/2008 08:56 pm

Lowry Park Zoo CEO Lex Salisbury and his business partner face more than $46,000 in fines from water managers for unauthorized development of a planned exotic animal park in Polk County.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District contends that Safari Wild's owners didn't get the necessary permits before constructing buildings, installing fences and digging ponds on the property located in the Green Swamp. They built an island that once contained 15 patas monkeys, which escaped in April and made headlines nationwide.

"We are going to work with SWFWMD to resolve these issues," said Stephen Wehrmann, the other owner. "We are making a good-faith effort to resolve these issues and believe that they will be resolved satisfactorily in the end."

The water management district on Wednesday levied a proposed fine of $46,036 for the 13 violations. The work included about 5.2 acres of land changes made without permits designed to protect wetlands, control stormwater runoff and reduce flooding.

The 870-square-mile Green Swamp is the source of the Hillsborough, Withlacoochee and Peace rivers, and critical to the Tampa Bay area's drinking water supply.

The owners can challenge any part of the fine before it becomes final, likely in a few months, said Robyn Felix, an agency spokeswoman.

The owners are trying to build a 258-acre park north of Lakeland where visitors will pay to take African-style safari tours to see zebras, rhinoceroses and other exotic species.

This is the latest government setback for the project. The Polk County planning office issued a stop-work order in late May after finding buildings on the land were more substantial than the basic animal barns permitted. The Florida Department of Community Affairs filed a notice of violation after learning of the extent of the development on the Green Swamp, which is designated for special environmental protection.

Wehrmann said they are working to resolve those issues, as well.

Salisbury's involvement with the for-profit park has raised conflict-of-interest questions at the zoo. In early October, he went on paid leave from the taxpayer-supported zoo while the city of Tampa auditors review its transactions with Safari Wild.

The audit is expected to be released in two weeks.

Reporter Baird Helgeson can be reached at (813) 259-7668.

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