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Lowry Park Zoo leader resigns

Thu, 2008-12-18 15:26 — Times Staff

Lowry Park Zoo President Lex SalisburyLowry Park Zoo President Lex Salisbury resigned this afternoon at the request of the zoo's board. The board had met today to address questions about a critical city audit.

The 60-page audit says Salisbury took zoo animals and materials to both Safari Wild, his yet-to-open Polk County exotic animal park, and his residential game ranch in Pasco County. It says he
used salaried zoo employees for personal work.

Auditors say he owes the zoo at least $200,000. Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio wanted him fired.

Tampabay.com readers were ready to see him go:

"Even if he did not do anything illegal, he has definitely crossed some
ethical lines here. $700 on one dinner! I feed my family of four for
a month on that! No wonder the admission prices are so ridiculous." wrote Mom in NPR.

"Firing is too good for this creep. What he did is criminal and he
deserves to have everything taken away. Lowry Park zoo will suffer for many years to come because of his greed," wrote Jason A.

Your take on Salisbury's departure?

[Photo of Salisbury: Kainaz Amaria | Times]

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Sat, 2009-08-08 00:06 — Feeka

Yet another example of how

Yet another example of how Lowry Park Zoo official's spend public tax
dollars.One would "70-270 dumps" that if there was nothing to hide there would be no
need for armed security 642-825 dumps.This is not a good first step if we the public are to
once again "640-553 dumps" the leadership of our community's zoo.Respectfully,Jeff
KremerTampa's Zoo Advocates

Sun, 2009-01-04 07:13 — captainal

My favorite Animals at The Zoo are Tigers. I actually saw a ---

My favorie animals at the zoo are the tigers.  I actually saw a tiger from a slow moving train in India when I was in the U. S; Army in World War Ii and on my way to Burma. The tiger was lying down under a tree about 40 to 50 yards from our train. He just looked up at the train for a few seconds and then lazily looked away.  When I saw this magnificent creature, I thought of the immortal words of Blake, "Tyger! Tyger!  burning bright In the forests of the night.  What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry?"  God bless.

Tue, 2008-12-30 14:29 — Pickin Bones

Zoo

Some of the best qualified people to run the zoo are former employees fired for caring about the ANIMALS and not caring about Lex's ego.  People with years of experience handling large or exotic animals are not easy to find, and the city should look into finding those ex-employees and asking for their expertise. 

Salisbury is a mean tyrant, greedy, and HE is now the disgruntled former employee.  So how fast did HE run for an attorney to cover his ass?  That SOB robbed many people of their employment, reputation, and future job prospects in a similar field. 

It will be a truly sad day if the City lets this b@st@rd walk away without prison time.  He earned it when he murdered the escaped tiger, stole zoo animals and equipment, and used City zoo employees to work overtime without pay. It is unconscionable that he got away with using the zoo/animals as entertainment for the city elite to party and drink alcohol at night and pretend to be sophisticated at their various balls that were priced out of range for most of us.  This practice MUST STOP immediately.  Salisbury deserves prison time and I pray he gets it.

 

Mon, 2010-01-25 16:31 — between

Fascinating blog - thank

Fascinating blog - thank you. Really fascinating and excellently written blog post. I wish to discover more in the near future. hp 8500
Sun, 2008-12-28 16:03 — shane

Lowry Park Zoo

This will harm the zoo as a whole in the zoo world with other zoos. If the zoo wants to look like it is cleaning up it's act after what has happened the Mayor should look at bringing in someone that is not conected to Lowry Park Zoo in any way. the saying about a new broom comes to mind. there are some good zoo consultants out there, here and overseas some  of them have the experience of cleaning up the mess that greedy Directors like Salisbury have left behind. Isn't it time that the animals and the keeping staff at the zoo are looked after by someone who will put the zoo first? 

Mon, 2008-12-22 14:42 — Majical

Why resign?

Why did they allow him to resign?  He should have been fired! 

I cannot see how any company would allow an employee to work for or open up their own business which is obviously a conflict of interest.  Co-mingling animals and such?  It all was just really shady and the board or whoever allowed it must be clueless.

Kay

Sat, 2008-12-20 22:35 — Pickin Bones

It Is About F'ing TIME

That SOB is finally booted out of his tyrannical kingdom.  There are many former employees, who truly cared about the animals and were fired for caring, who are doing little happy dances in their houses this week.

Thu, 2008-12-18 22:29 — captainal

Unlike Most Animal Lovers, I love Humans more than I love-------

ULnlike most animal lovers, I love humans more than I love animals.  I should qualify that.  I love animals more than I love Republicans, religious zealots and NRA members.  I, also, am not too crazy about possilby "crooked" zoo leaders.  Would feeding him to the tigers be too severe a penalty but, then, why should the tigers have to suffer for the sins of others?  God bless.

Thu, 2008-12-18 18:25 — St Pete Girl

Seriously?

First of all, aren't there more pressing issues going on in the state of Florida? Secondly, I can't believe that people complain about the admission price of the zoo. It costs like $18 for adults and you could spend the whole day there! Plus there are days where it costs $5. You can't even go to a movie for that price!

Thu, 2008-12-18 17:13 — Perplexed tax payer

What took so long...

And could he PLEASE, show Ray Sansom how it's done!

Thu, 2008-12-18 16:34 — ZooAdvocate

Compromise of Animal Welfare Issues and Public Trust

Lex Salisbury's resignation is the beginning of restoring trust within our community's zoo.

The second step would be to hold all those zoo executives who assisted Mr. Salisbury in his animal and human "dealings" accountable for their actions.

Larry Killmar, David Zimmerman, Craig Pugh, Dr. David Murphy, Mark Butler......to start.

 Respectfully,

Jeff Kremer
Tampa's Zoo Advocates
www.TampasZooAdvocates.com