Here in Tampa, long the minor league feeder system for the Jerry Springer Show (I’m not sure that show is even still on the air, but I’ll bet many of our teachers are still willing to have sex with their students, just in case), we have proven once again that our ability to demonstrate misbehavior has no discernible limit.
Need proof? How about the fact that our zoo is currently embroiled in controversy. That’s right, the zoo. A place you probably associate with childhood memories of school field trips, adorable, exotic animals and cotton candy, where you might think the most outrageous thing you could possibly encounter is monkeys doin’ it, is knee-deep in a sizable scandal.
Lowry Park Zoo president Lex Salisbury, apparently under the belief that the zoo is a kind of Netflix with critters, authorized over 200 transactions (sales, trades and loans) of animals between the zoo and his private animal park in Lakeland, Safari Wild.
The problem is, as a taxpayer-supported facility, those animals are assets that belong to the City of Tampa. How would you like to be the city worker who has to do yearly inventory?
“Can you, uh, make the Red-legged Honeycreepers sit still or something? It’s hard to count.”
Salisbury and collections director Larry Killmar have had their memberships in The Association of Zoos and Aquariums temporarily revoked for “intentionally failing to abide” by the association’s policies when they acquired and transferred animals.
The bad news for the zoo itself, including all the dedicated employees who weren’t treating real, live tigers like baseball cards of Detroit Tigers, is that the organization has also suspended Lowry Park’s membership, pending a series of procedural reviews and audits.
The good news is that none of this should affect the day-to-day operation of the zoo itself, including animal care or park operations.
It’s just unfortunate… and unnecessary… when the poor judgment of individuals puts the reputation of an otherwise well-respected organization at risk. Especially something like the zoo. We’re sort of resigned to the fact that our elected officials, corporate honchos, bankers and sports owners are going to act like Veruca Salt leading an armed raid on Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Is it too much to ask that the selfish d-bags keep their grubby little ‘beaters off of things like the friggin’ zoo?
(Cross posted at Ridiculously inconsistent trickle of consciousness)
Scott Gunsaullus
1 year ago
Something about the zoo story doesn’t sit well with me. The city may have had oversight but they clearly didn’t exercise it when the zoo board approved the transfers and partnerships with Salisbury’s safari. Based on what I’ve read, the original intent of moving the animals back and forth between Lakeland was legitimate. The zoo doesn’t have enough room to house all of them and some of them need to be moved in and out for R&R.
The sticking point is whether or not Salisbury profited personally from these arrangements. The zoo board, including representatives from the city, should have done due diligence and mitigated any conflict of interest. Until the Times first broke this story, they had not and many of the city representatives on the board had not attended a meeting in months.
Since this originally broke, the St. Pete Times has run story after story on Salisbury but they have uncovered very little new information. It seems like they’ve just been rehashing every week until Salisbury gets axed or resigns. If and when that does happen, you can bet they’ll want to take credit for influential coverage.
The Times has been trying Salisbury for months and even though they’ve already declared him guilty, I’m not thoroughly convinced of the merits in the case against him and I think that he’s been set up as the fall guy. I hope that he sticks around long enough to plead his case before the Zoo and Aquarium accreditation committee.
Ed
1 year ago
He is guilty, anyone with any business sense sees how these decision he made were bad. The fact that no one in this town had the guts to oversee what was happening or even call for his removal once his bad decisions were revealed are a testament tot he old boy crony BS that keeps holding this town back.
Upp N. Adam
1 year ago
Innocent until proven guilty of course but the AZA seems more concerned with Salisbury’s conduict than the city’s oversight of it.
Ed
1 year ago
Then lets declare guilty the entire board who was supposed to be overseeing the Zoo not allowing it to be treated like personal property.
Ed
1 year ago
Looks like the audit has declared him guilt, he will be fired at the emergency board meeting next week and likely have crimianl charges pressed.
Jeff Kremer
1 year ago
There is a fine line between advocating for the welfare of animals and making a dollar. When this line is crossed the animals always pay the ultimate price.
Empower yourself with the facts regarding the association between Lex Salisbury, Lowry Park Zoo, Safari Wild and the Exotic Animal Trade.
Respectfully,
Jeff Kremer
Tampa’s Zoo Advocates
http://www.TampasZooAdvocates.com
Toby Bo
1 year ago
Lowry Park exists so corporations can put an animal on their annual report.Nascar is not about putting your name on the car it is about putting the car on your box of soap.Greenwash is the latest corporate fad so an environmental nightmare like bottled water sponsors a zoo.A grifter in charge of a scam only shocks cloud city liberals.