Suspension Includes Zoo Chief

Two top leaders of Lowry Park Zoo have been booted from their profession's most respected organization for deals that sent zoo animals to the president's private collection.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums temporarily revoked the memberships of zoo President Lex Salisbury and collections director Larry Killmar for "intentionally failing to abide" by the association's policies when they acquired and transferred animals.

Salisbury's loss of membership casts new doubt on his future at the taxpayer-supported facility.

Santiago Corrada, the city's representative on the zoo board, said Tampa requires its leaders to be accredited by their professional organizations.

"This is something that the full zoo board will have to deal with," Corrada said Saturday.

If the board replaces Salisbury, the new leader would decide the fate of Killmar and others, Corrada said.

The suspensions came on top of the association's decision to temporarily revoke the accreditation of the zoo for the same issues.

The association made the preliminary decision after Salisbury asked for a review of the zoo's animal acquisition and transfer procedures.

Salisbury faced criticism that he used zoo resources and animals to start Safari Wild, an African safari-style animal attraction he is building near Lakeland. A team from the association visited after news reports that the zoo bought, sold, traded or donated more than 200 animals to Salisbury.

The association notified members late Friday that two-thirds of its board members voted to suspend Salisbury, Killmar and the zoo, according to a copy of the statement obtained by The Tampa Tribune.

Lowry Park Zoo released a statement about its suspension late Friday, but neither the statement nor board chairman Bob Merritt mentioned the association's additional action against Salisbury and Killmar.

Association spokesman Steve Feldman confirmed the contents of the notice Saturday.

The association also says Killmar and Salisbury didn't fully participate in its Species Survival Plan, which helps sustain populations of endangered wildlife and potentially at-risk species. The program coordinates breeding and transfers of the animals with all of its members to help ensure the survival of those species.

Some of the zoo's most cherished animals are in the program, including cheetahs, elephants and rhinoceroses.

At Killmar's request, the zoo took three rhinos to Safari Wild and allowed Salisbury to keep some of the offspring as part of a now-voided loan agreement.

Safari Wild is not recognized by the association.

The association's notice to members directed some blame at the zoo's board for not doing more to enforce the association's transfer guidelines.

The city owns the zoo property and the animals. A 1988 lease agreement between the city and the Lowry Park Zoological Society requires that the organization be accredited by the zoo and aquarium association.

Feldman said he was hopeful that Tampa's zoo would return to good standing by the time the association's board meets in March in Oklahoma City to make a final decision.

"The statements made by the zoo have indicated how seriously they are taking this, and how important they believe AZA standards are," he said. "That's good news. We know they will work hard to address these matters."

He would not comment on Salisbury and Killmar, who did not return several messages seeking comment.

Feldman wouldn't speculate as to whether the association would restore the zoo's accreditation if Salisbury remains at the helm.

Zoos and aquariums strive to appease the 84-year-old organization for several reasons beyond the good publicity that comes with meeting its tough standards.

Members get private access to a list of exotic animals either wanted or available at other facilities. A zoo can be more confident that an animal it's interested in is in good health and well-cared-for. The ability to trade animals saves facilities tens of thousands of dollars and the uncertainty that comes with buying rare animals on the open market.

Lowry Park Zoo loses access to the list during the suspension.

The zoo board will consider the association's findings when it looks at separate internal and city audits of the zoo's transactions with Safari Wild, zoo spokeswoman Rachel Nelson said Saturday.

"Then the executive committee will decide what, if any, changes need to be made," she said.

Salisbury remains on paid leave until the outcome. He made $271,000 in 2006, according to the zoo's most recent tax filing.