As review looms, zoo seeks chief

Lowry Park Zoo is about to embark on a comprehensive reaccreditation process without a permanent leader in place.

The zoo's board forced the resignation of former President Lex Salisbury in December after a city audit found he used zoo animals, staff and resources at his Dade City ranch and at Safari Wild, a for-profit, exotic-animal park he is building in Polk County.

Craig Pugh, deputy director under Salisbury, has served as interim zoo director the past seven months. He helped the zoo regain accreditation after the Association of Zoos and Aquariums suspended its endorsement, in part because of Salisbury's practices.

The zoo must submit an application for reaccreditation in September, said Rachel Nelson, a zoo spokeswoman. Then association representatives will conduct a site visit to inspect animal management, care and recordkeeping.

The zoo's five-year accreditation is up in March.

The city, which owns the zoo land and animals, requires the zoo to be endorsed by the association.

Zoo board members are not rushing to find a new president before the accreditation review begins, Nelson said. There is no timeline for naming a replacement.

"The board is taking the necessary time to conduct a judicious and selective process," she said.

As the zoo board searches for a new leader, state law enforcement officials are reviewing the city audit and other documents to determine whether anything criminal occurred under Salisbury's tenure.

"The investigation continues," said Mike Morrison of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Salisbury said repeatedly he never inappropriately profited from his ties to the zoo. He could not be reached for comment.

Salisbury's separate business venture, Safari Wild, remains stalled by county and state permitting issues. The delays appear to have put a strain on finances for the park, where visitors would take African-style safari tours to see exotic animals.

Salisbury and Stephen Wehrmann, a St. Petersburg veterinarian, bought 260 acres north of Lakeland in March 2007 for $1.37 million.

A couple of months after Salisbury left the zoo, he and Wehrmann modified their loan to stop making monthly payments temporarily.

Next February, Salisbury and Wehrmann are scheduled to resume interest-only payments. In 2012, Safari Wild would begin paying both interest and principal, about $30,100 a month.

Wehrmann did not return a message seeking comment.