Lowry Park Zoo Board Chairman Shares Written Statement

This statement was read during a 3:30 p.m. news conference by Bob Merritt, chairman of the board of directors of the Lowry Park Zoo.

"The Lowry Park Zoological Society Board of Directors has reviewed and considered the findings of the city audit report and has held long discussions with Mr. Salisbury about them. The audit report raised a number of issues, some of which we had already identified ourselves and begun to address. In November the board instituted more rigorous procedures of oversight for zoo management including audit, governance and compensation committees. Our newly formed governance and nominating committee has already begun an in-depth review of zoo policies and expects to recommend other internal control and policy improvements over the next several months.

"After lengthy consideration, zoo President and Chief Executive Officer Lex Salisbury and the board have mutually agreed that it is in the best interest of the zoo for Mr. Salisbury to step down effective today. We believe this is a necessary step toward restoring confidence and integrity in zoo management. Mr. Salisbury played a pivotal role in building Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo into one of the best zoological parks of its size in the nation and he leaves us with that legacy. The board is grateful to Mr. Salisbury for his years of dedicated service and many contributions to the zoo and wishes him well in future endeavors. Deputy Zoo Director Craig Pugh will serve as acting zoo director for the time being. The board plans to begin an immediate national search for a new president and CEO.

"The zoo continues to operate very successfully. We have a first class team on board caring for the animals, our business is very strong - in fact, we just finished one of our most successful years ever. We have made a number of changes to address the issues raised so that there won't be similar problems in the future. Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo is still regarded as one of the best in the nation and we intend to keep it that way.

"I have informed Mayor Iorio and the city of these actions and we will keep them updated as our search for a new chief executive for the zoo progresses."