Tampa's Zoo Advocates

-*Hearing May Halt Former Lowry Park Zoo CEO Lex Salisbury's Exotic Animal Park, Safari Wild in it's Tracks: Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.

-State Deals Former Lowry Park Zoo CEO Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild Project a Major Blow, Orders Official Review:  Continuing Investigation by Steve Andrews, News Channel 8 and the Tampa Tribune:  Read

-State Agency Will Decide the Fate of Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild Exotic Animal Park: Continuing Investigation by Steve Andrews, News Channel 8 and the Tampa Tribune: Read

-Former Lowry Park Zoo Chief Still Says He Did No Wrong:  Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper.

-FDLE Probe Into Ex-Zoo Boss Will "Die On the Vine" His Attorney Says:  Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper

-Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo and Former President Lex Salisbury Negotiate a Financial Settlement: Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper.

-Lowry Park Zoo Settlement Ends Ties To Ex-Chief:  Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.

-Polk County Commissioners: Public Hearing for Lex Salisbury's Safari Adventures Not Possible: Continuing Investigation by News Channel 8 and the Tampa Tribune.

-Animal Park Neighbor's Upset By Lack of Information: Continuing Investigation of Former Lowry Park Zoo President Lex Salisbury's Exotic Animal Park by Steve Andrews and News Channel 8.

-Safari Adventures' Hurricane Plan Concern Neighbors: Steve Andrews continuing investigation raises numerous issues of concern with regard to public safety.  Taxpayers should also voice their opinion regarding the $2.6 million federal Department of Agriculture loan guarantee. The "for profit" exotic animal park applied for this loan in May of 2008 to provide long-term financing of their operations: Published by News Channel 8 and the Tampa Tribune.

-Former Lowry Park Zoo President Lex Salisbury's Exotic Animal Park Fined For Work Without Permit: Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper.

-Lex Salisbury's Exotic Animal Park Safari Wild Fined By The Southwest Florida Water Management District for Work Completed Without Permit: Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.

-Ex-Lowry Park Zoo Chief in Federal Cross Hairs:  Lex Salisbury is attempting to sell exotic animals once again but has never possessed the license to do so: Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.

-Former Zoo Leader's 'Safari Wild' Is Now 'Safari Adventures': Different Name, Same Concerns:  Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.

-Lex's Menagerie of Malfeasance:  Tampa's Zoo Advocates applauds Daniel Ruth's ability to bring levity to a situation that has caused great heartache to so many.
Editorial Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper

-Embattled Lowry Park Zoo CEO Lex Salisbury Forced to Resign: Zoo Seeks New Leader After Lex Salisbury is Forced to Resign: Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.

Lowry Park Zoo's Longtime Chief Forced to Resign: Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper.

-Lowry Park Zoo Board of Directors Issues Public Statement Regarding the Resignation of CEO Lex Salisbury: Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.

-Monkey Saga That Spurred Zoo Controversy Has Ended:  Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper.
A trapper has captured the last of 15 patas monkeys whose escape from Safari Wild eight months ago set in motion the events that led to the resignation of Lowry Park CEO Lex Salisbury.

-Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio Stunned Activities at Zoo Didn't Raise Flag:  Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.
While we applaud Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio calling for new leadership at Lowry Park Zoo, we also question the clarity of her vision.   The conflict of interest "Flag" within Lowry Park Zoo was waving directly in front of her own eyes:

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio continues to publicly claim no prior knowledge of the business dealings conducted between Lowry Park Zoo and Lex Salisbury's exotic animal park Safari Wild:    
Earlier this year the "Mayor's Hour" CCTV cable show filmed and broadcast the transport of White Rhinos between Lowry Park Zoo and Safari Wild.  "City of Tampa TV Showed Rhinos' Delivery to Private Zoo":
View the above mentioned episode of the "Mayor's Hour" Published by the City of Tampa.

-What's Best For Lowry Park Zoo is at Stake in this Fight:  Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper.

-City Audit: Lowry Park Zoo CEO Lex Salisbury Created a Culture of Intimidation:

In 2006 Alex Pickett and Creative Loafing began to expose the truth regarding animal and human welfare issues of concern at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo: "Endangered Species: How Safe is Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo?":  While Lex Salisbury and zoo officials attempted to dismiss this report, the facts have come to speak for themselves. 

Published in Creative Loafing

-Lowry Park Zoo's Board of Directors Prepare to Meet on Thursday to Discuss the Fate of Lex Salisbury:  Continuing Coverage Published in the:

Zoo Leader Takes Issue With Audit: St. Petersburg Times Newspaper

Zoo CEO Disputes City Audit: Tampa Tribune Newspaper

Editorial Boards of Tampa Bay's Major Newspapers Once Again Call for Change Within Our Community's Zoo, Without Lex Salisbury at it's Helm:

Restore Credibility at Zoo With New Leadership:  Tampa Tribune Newspaper

Zoo Needs New Leader, New Image: Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper

-Despite Overwhelming Evidence Presented by the City of Tampa and Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Lowry Park Zoo CEO Lex Salisbury Continues to Claim Innocence:  Lowry Park Zoo CEO, on a paid leave of absence was unable to attend the public news conference in which his attorneys announce that their client will "make amends" if fault is found. 

Reported in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper

-Expanding Investigation of Lowry Park Zoo CEO Lex Salisbury's Violation of Animal Welfare and Public Trust;  Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio Calls for an Investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement:  Continuing Coverage Published in the:

Tampa Tribune Newspaper

St.Petersburg Times Newspaper

-Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio Calls for the Firing of Lowry Park Zoo CEO Lex Salisbury; Read the Complete 61 Page City Audit of Lowry Park Zoo:  Published by the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.

-Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio Issues Official Statement Regarding Lowry Park Zoo Audit:  Published on the Tampa City Government Web Site.

-Lex Salisubury, Lowry Park Zoo, Safari Wild, Continued Conflict of Interest:  Video Report by ABC Action News Tampa Bay.

-Law Enforcement May Investigate Lex Salisbury's Zoo Transactions:  Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper.

-Tampa City Audit Reports Lowry Park CEO Lex Salisbury Took Animals and Equipment for Personal Business Ventures. 
City of Tampa auditors today issued a scathing criticism of Lowry Park Zoo President Lex Salisbury, saying he took animals and equipment for personal use and threatened employees with firing unless they helped in his outside ventures.
Read the full story published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.

-Former Lowry Park Zoo Employee Tells of Links to Lex Salisbury's Private Ranch and Exotic Animal Park Safari Wild:  A continuing pattern of concern exposed by former Lowry Park Zoo employees.
Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper

-Lex Salisbury's Exotic Animal Park Safari Wild Faces Lien From Electric Company:  Henriquez Electric Corp. in Tampa filed a $13,000 lien for unpaid work at the planned Polk County exotic-animal park owned Lowry Park Zoo President Lex Salisbury:  Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper

-The results of 1 of 3 audits being conducted regarding the associated between Lex Salisbury, Lowry Park Zoo, Safari Wild and the exotic animal trade is expected to be released the week of 12/8/08.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has come to their decision:
Lowry Park Zoo CEO Lex Salisbury Fined $46,036 For Environmental Violations at His Exotic Animal Park Safari Wild: Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper

-Safari Wild owners didn't get the proper permits before constructing buildings, putting up fences and dredging land on the property, the Southwest Florida Water Management District has determined:

Water Managers: Zoo President Ignored Environmental Regulations: Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper.

Safari Wild Failed to Get Proper Permits, Water Agency Says: Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.

-Despite Looks, a Community's Nature Center Not Tied To Lowry Park Zoo:  Lowry Park Zoo Board Member Carl Lindell, developer of Wilderness Lake Preserve made a $500,000 donation to the zoo in 2001. 
St. Petersburg Times Journalist Alexandra Zayas explores the connection between Wilderness Lake Preserve's "Nature Center" and Lowry Park Zoo.
Designated an "Educational Outreach Location", by Lowry Park Zoo, Wilderness Lake Preserve's "Nature Center" has not only exhibited animal's loaned to them by the zoo, but given them away as well.  
I.R.S. documents also disclose that fact that Tax Payer supported Lowry Park Zoo has no written "conflict of interest" policy.  Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper

-"Those Escaped Patas Monkeys From Safari Wild Are Making News Again": In 2006 Alex Pickett and Creative Loafing began to expose the truth regarding animal and human welfare issues of concern at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo: "Endangered Species: How Safe is Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo?":  While Lex Salisbury and zoo officials attempted to dismiss this report, the facts have come to speak for themselves. 
Published in Creative Loafing

-Lex Salisbury's Escaped Monkeys Make Mischief on Ranch:  Six Months Following Their Escape One Third of Safari Wild's Patas Monkeys Remain on the Loose: 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has ended its investigation of the monkey escape. Two warnings were issued to Safari Wild's owners, but no fines.  Tampa's Zoo Advocates requested information from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regarding the numerous "Code 1" animal escapes that have occurred over the years at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.  State officials informed Tampa's Zoo Advocates that organization's such as the zoo are not "required" to report such escapes.

Published in the Tampa Tribune News Paper.

-Fact or Fiction?  Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio continues to publicly claim no prior knowledge of the business dealings conducted between Lowry Park Zoo and Lex Salisbury's exotic animal park Safari Wild:    
Earlier this year the "Mayor's Hour" CCTV cable show filmed and broadcast the transport of White Rhinos between Lowry Park Zoo and Safari Wild.  "City of Tampa TV Showed Rhinos' Delivery to Private Zoo": Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper.

View the above mentioned episode of the "Mayor's Hour" Published by the City of Tampa

-Lowry Park Zoo Board Chairman Quits: The Zoo's Executive Board Adds Government Officials in Attempt to Create More Transparency: Bob Merritt will serve as zoo chairman for the next year.  Bob Merritt has served on the Lowry Park Zoo Board of Directors and approved the working relationship between Lex Salisbury, Lowry Park Zoo and Safari Wild:  Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper.

-Zoo Chairman Who Helped Set Up Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild Resigns: Fassil Gabremariam resigns as Chairman of Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo:  Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.

-Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo Boss Has Accrediting Agency Inspect Operations:
Tampa's Zoo Advocates hope that officials will take into consideration the deaths of Enshalla, Herman and all those precious animals who have lost their livss while entrusted to the "standard of care" required of an AZA accredited facility.  Published by News Channel 8 and the Tampa Tribune

-Lowry Park Zoo Chief's Nature Reflects Decisions:  Lex Salisbury States that He Doesn't Always Think About the Consequences of His Decisions.  Continuing Pattern of Concern:  Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.

-Lowry Park Zoo Generous To Its Presidents Project: Lowry Park Zoo CEO Lex Salisbury continues to insist that he has not benefited from the relationship between his personal business Safari Wild and Tampa's taxpayer supported zoo.  Facts indicate otherwise:  Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper

-Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo CEO Takes a Leave of Absence:  Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper

-Lowry Park Zoo's CEO/President Lex Salisbury Agrees to Take a Leave of Absence:  Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper

-Tampa City Council Member Calls For Lex Salisbury's Resignation: If the public is to once again trust in our community's zoo Lex Salisbury, Larry Killmar and the zoo's Executive Board of Directors needs to be replaced. 
Larry Killmar and the zoo's Executive Board of Directors are those persons responsible for approving Lex Salisbury's 200+ animal deals.  Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper

-Lex Salisbury's Deal to Obtain Offspring From His Animal Trades With Lowry Park Zoo:  Lex Salisbury continues to claim that he has never profited from any of his animal dealings conducted between his exotic animal trade businesses and Lowry Park Zoo.  Tampa's Zoo Advocates is preparing to detail specific information contradicting Lex Salisbury's claim.  Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper

-Official: Zoo Boss Could Keep Animals' Offspring:  Continuing Investigation of Lex Salisbury, Lowry Park Zoo and the Exotic Animal Trade:  Reported in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper

-Records Show 200 + Animal Transactions Between Lowry Park Zoo and Lex Salisbury:  Reported in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper

-Lowry Park Zoo and Lex Salisbury Conducted 224 Animal Transactions:  Continuing Coverage in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper

-Lowry Park Zoo Concerns Prompt Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio to Tighten Reins on City's Nonprofits:  Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper

-200 + Deals Made Between Tampa Zoo, CEO, Polk Park:  Channel 8 Investigative Reporter Steve Andrews in collaboration with the Tampa Tribune have documented more than 200 animal transactions between Lowry Park Zoo, Lex Salisbury and his exotic animal park Safari Wild: Published by Tampa Tribune and News Channel 8

Complete Lowry Park Zoo Animal Transaction Report:  Read

-Lowry Park Zoo CEO and Safari Wild:  The Rumors Come True:  In 2006 Alex Pickett and Creative Loafing began to expose the truth regarding animal and human welfare issues of concern at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo: "Endangered Species: How Safe is Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo?":  While Lex Salisbury and zoo officials attempted to dismiss this report, the facts have come to speak for themselves.  Published in Creative Loafing

-Lowry Park Zoo's Transfer of Buffalo to Safari Wild Raises Additional Concerns:  Continuing Conflict of Ethics and Interest:  Even amid the investigation of the association between Lex Salisbury, Lowry Park Zoo and Safari Wild, the "exotic animal trade" continues:  Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper

-Incoming Lowry Park Zoo Chief Says Animal Transfers Probably Flawed:  Incoming Executive Board Chairman Speaks with the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper

-Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo Needs New Leader:  Editorial Detailing the Need For Lex Salisbury to be Replaced: The Editorial Boards of both the Tampa Tribune and St.Petersburg Times are in agreement, Lex Salisbury needs to be replaced:  Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper

-*"Wild" Deal Raises Questions About Lowry Park Zoo's Mission:  Tampa Bay Community response to Lex Salisbury's ties to Lowry Park Zoo, Safari Wild and the exotic animal trade:  Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper

-Lowry Park Zoo Chief Seeks Review of Animal Deals:  Lowry Park Zoo CEO Lex Salisbury calls upon the AZA to review his animal deals between Lowry Park Zoo, Safari Wild as well as his personal ranch.
Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper

Review after review after review: Lowry Park Zoo, the City of Tampa and the AZA are conducting separate reviews of the actions of Lex Salisbury and the zoo's Executive Board of Directors.

The time has come for Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum to step in and ensure that justice is served so that the citizens of our community can once again "trust" in our community's zoo.

Tampa's Zoo Advocates encourages you to contact Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum via e-mail and/or phone to reaffirm the importance of this issue to the citizens of Florida.

 Email:
ag.mccollum@myfloridalegal.com

Switchboard: 850-414-3300
Citizens Services: 850-414-3990
ADA Coordinator: 850-414-3900
Florida Relay/TDD: 800-955-8771
Florida Toll Free: 1-866-966-7226


-Lowry Park Zoo Chief Lex Salisbury Says All Deals Aboveboard - Facts Indicate Otherwise:  Zoo Directors Across the Country Voice Concern:  Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper

View pictures of Zebra, Warthogs, Pigmy Hippo's, Antelope, Bongo and other exotic animals on Lex Salisbury's personal ranch in Dade City Florida by clicking "Here".  (scroll to the bottom of this linked page)

-Lowry Park Zoo's Animals Prove Tough To Track:  The controversy expands as the St.Petersburg Times newspaper exposes a documented trail of zoo animals that have been transferred to Lex Salisbury's personal ranch in Dade City Florida, some of which survived and others that cannot be accounted for:  Full Story

-Stop The Monkeying Around At Lowry Park Zoo:  Editorial Published by the St.Petersburg Times Regarding This Embarrassing "Mess" That Needs to be Cleaned Up:  Details

-Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo Continues to Conduct Business With Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild Exotic Animal Park:  Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild  is engaged in a boarding contract to house exotic animal park's patas monkeys in the zoo's clinic. 

Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper

-Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo Opens Up It's Inner Circle:  Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper

-City of Tampa Gains Spot on the Lowry Park Zoo Executive Board of Directors:  Zoo Animals Belong to the Citizens of Tampa:  Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper

-Lowry Park Zoo Officials Agree To Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio's Demands: Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper

Read Mayor Pam Iorio's "Official Statement"

-City of Tampa to Get Full and Regular Accounting of Lowry Park Zoo Animals:  Mayor Pam Iorio Announces Concessions Agreed to by Lowry Park Zoo Officials: 

*All zoo animals belong to the City of Tampa and it's citizens.

*Mayor Pam Iorio's represenative will serve on the zoo's Executive Board of Directors.

*The "independent" audit of the zoo will now be overseen by city officials.

Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper

-Lowry Park Zoo Attorney Files Public Records Request with City:  Zoo Officials Want to Know "Who" is Speaking Up:  Lowry Park Zoo officials continue to resist oversight by Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and the city but are now seeking to determine "who" has been speaking up and "what" they have been saying.

Tampa's Zoo Advocates suggests "opening" the books on both sides of the table.

Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper


-Whose Rhino is This?:  "Tampa's" Lowry Park Zoo Needs New and Ethical Leadership:  Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper

-Crisis in Leadership Threatens Support for Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo:  The Time for Change has Arrived, That Time is Now:  Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper

-Lowry Park Zoo Officials Dispute Tampa's Oversight, Animal Ownership:  Continuing Investigation by News Channel 8 and the Tampa Tribune Newspaper:  City officials reported the fact that they have been made aware of the claim that Lex Salisbury boarded zoo animals on his private ranch in Dade City.  
City officials continue to insist  that the zoo must not have any business relationship with Salisbury or any private property he is connected to.  
View pictures of Zebra, Warthogs, Pigmy Hippo's, Antelope, Bongo and other exotic animals on Lex Salisbury's personal ranch in Dade City Florida by clicking "Here".  (scroll to the bottom of this linked page)

Read the Full Story published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.


-*Lowry Park Zoo Official's Continue to Refuse Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio's Requests:  Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper.


-City of Tampa Officials Report Lowry Park Zoo Hasn't Been Supplying Animal Inventory as Required:  Continuing Investigation by News Channel 8: Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper

-Rhinogate Distresses Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio:  A continuing investigation by News Channle 8's Steve Andrews:  Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.

-Lowry Park Zoo's White Rhino Deal With Safari Wild Concerns Tampa's Mayor Pam Iorio:  A New Investigative Report by News Channel 8.   Lex Salisbury's ties to the $2 Billion Dollar Exotic Animal Trade continue to be exposed: Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper

View the Channel 8 Investigative Report: Here

The time for change has arrived, that time is now:  Tampa's Zoo Advocates encourages you to share your thoughts with Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio regarding this important issue:  Click Here to Speak Up

-Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio Says Lowry Park Zoo Didn't Keep City Informed:  Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper.

-Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo Needs New Leadership: This editorial, published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper boldly deals with the facts involving the ever growing controversy between Lex Salisbury, Lowry Park Zoo and it's Board of Directors and Safari Wild. 

"The line is pretty simple: The president of Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo should not mix business between the zoo and a private safari game park he is opening. Yet Lex Salisbury still wants to qualify the ethics of what he did. The governing board that should have prevented this conflict failed its responsibility, and this is a good time to consider new leadership there."

Read the Full Story Here

-Hillsborough County Asks to See Lowry Park Zoo-Safari Wild Audit: County Officials Demand the Zoo Provide the Results of Their "Independent" Audit:  Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.

-Do the Sloths Have a 401(k) Plan?:  Columnist Daniel Ruth of the Tampa Tribune Lends New Perspective to the Continued Conflict of Interest Between Lowry Park Zoo and Safari Wild:  Details

Lex Salisbury now states that he "regrets" the fact that he offered Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo use of land at Safari Wild, his exotic animal park.  While Lex and Executive Board Members might like the public to believe that this issue is as simple as 6 surplus zoo bison grazing on land leased from Lex's private business venture, concerns run much deeper.

Consider:

-Fassil Gabremariam, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Safari Wild Conservation Foundation, along with Lex Salisbury and Stephen L. Wehrmann.

-Lowry Park Zoo Executive Board member Bob Merritt will "oversee" this "independent" audit.  Mr. Merritt continues to refuse to release the name of the company performing this audit but it is reported to be the same one that has conducted the annual financial review of the zoo for the past 14 years.  
Tampa's Zoo Advocates questions Mr. Merritt's definition of "independent".

-Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild Exotic Animal Park Website is Registered and Maintained by Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo and it's Staff.
All registration, administrative, technical and billing support is linked directly to Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.  Published by WHOIS

- Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild has entered into contract with the Public Relation and Advertising Agency of Fry-Hammond-Barr.  

Fry-Hammond-Barr is the firm that has represented Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo on numerous projects.

Click Here and select "skip intro" and then select "News" for Press Releases dated:  2/18/08 and  5/29/07.


-Lex Salisbury is past President and founding member of an organization called the "Zoological Association of America". One of the main missions of the ZAA is to "Protect and defend the right to own animals".
Larry Killmare, Lowry Park Zoo's Director off Animal Collections" currently serves at the President of the ZAA while Lex Salisbury serves as Secretary.  The Zoological Association of America lists its physical address as that of Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.  The ZAA hired an Office Manager via Lowry Park Zoo's web site and this staff member works on Lowry Park Zoo property.  The e-mail contact for ZAA is that of a contact at ZAOAinfo@lowryparkzoo.com . 
Full details of the Lowry Park Zoo -  ZAA connection can be found via the ZAA section of our groups web effort.

-The Baldwin Connelly Group is the official insurance provider for Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.  Several members of this company (with ties to the Lowry family) serve on the Board of Directors of Lowry Park Zoo as well as the organizations Endowment Foundation.  Details

Tampa's Zoo Advocates encourages you to share your thoughts with Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio regarding this important issue:  Click Here to Speak Up

-Lowry Park Zoo CEO Lex Salisbury Regrets Offering His Land: Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio Criticizes the Zoo's Executive Board of Directors and Demands More Oversight by the County:  Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.

-Lowry Park Zoo Officials Deny Conflict in Relationship with Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild Exotic Animal Park: The Investigation Continues:  Published in the St.Petersbury Times Newspaper

-Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio to Safari Wild:  Lowry Park Zoo Must Be Repaid:  A Continuing Investigation Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.  Reporter Baird Helgeson's latest installment details the fact Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio has demanded Safari Wild reimburse Lowry Park Zoo for any public funds spent on Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild exotic animal park.  This investigative report also quotes Tampa City Councilman Charlie Miranda as saying he was never told the zoo built the barns as part of Lex Salisbury's private business venture.  "There needs to be disciplinary action taken, all the way down the line,"  Miranda said.

Full Story Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper

-Zoo Buildings on Private Land Concern County Official's and Board Members of Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.  A continuing investigation into the financial and working relationship between Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild exotic animal park and Tampa's tax payer funded Lowry Park Zoo.
Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper

-Continuing Conflict of Interest: Tax payer funded Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo paid for the construction of 2 significant animal buildings at Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild exotic animal park.  Baird Helgeson of the Tampa Tribune continues to expose a pattern of concern between the organizations led By Lex Salisbury. 
Baird Helgeson details the fact that some Lowry Park Zoo Board of Directors have been kept in the dark regarding the joint venture between Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild and Tampa's community zoo.  Baird also details the fact that Lex Salisbury is seeking to leverage the association between Lowry Park Zoo and Safari wild to solicit the U.S.D.A. for a government backed loan to complete his exotic animal park.

When will Taxpayers, Animal Advocates and Government Officials, local as well as national say enough is enough?  Full Details Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper 

-Polk County Government Officials Issue Second Stop Work Order, Halting Development of Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild Exotic Animal Park:  
Polk County has twice placed stop-work orders on buildings at Safari Wild. County Attorney Michael Craig and County Manager Mike Herr delivered a letter to Lex Salisbury and Steven Wehrmann on September 5th in which they told Lex and his partner that they must go through the county's development review process before any guests come through the gates. Otherwise, developers will face having electricity cut off.

Details Published in Polk County's The Ledger

-Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo Calls for an Independent Audit To Review Ties to Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild Exotic Animal Park:  Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper


"Zoo Makes Necessary Divorce from Directors Venture": The Tampa Tribune reports that Lowry Park Zoo's Board of Directors has begun taking steps to ensure that the operation of Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild exotic animal park remains completely separate from that of Tampa's "not for profit" zoo.  One significant step is that of ordering an independent audit of all dealings that have occurred between Lowry Park Zoo and Safari Wild.  Tampa's Zoo Advocates hopes that this audit will truly be "independent" as well as be made "public".
  "Read the Full Story"

"Safari Wild's Snakes May Be Running the Show" Columnist Daniel Ruth of the Tampa Tribune addresses ethical issues of concern raised in having Lex Salisbury leading both our community's "not for profit" zoo as well as that of his "for profit" Safari Wild exotic animal park.  Tampa Tribune Article

Ethical Note of Interest:

Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo continues to refuse to make public the "non-compete" letter signed by Lex Salisbury and the Zoo's Board of Directors.

"Following the Money":
Details of Lex Salisbury and his partner's $1,375,000.00 purchase of the property now known as Safari Wild.  Official records (linked below) indicate that Lex and his business partner, Stephen L. Wehrmann signed a Promissory Note that requires the following:

-Monthly payments of $9166.67 for the first 5 years - Interest Only

-Monthly payments of $27,880.04 for the remaining 5 years - Principle and Interest

Simply click the link below, select "Public Search" and type "Safari Wild" into the "Enter Party Name" line to access this document via the Polk County Clerk of Courts.

Published on the Polk County Government Website

"Lowry Park Zoo's Link to Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild Is Murky":
While Lex Salisbury continues to claim no compromise of ethical boundary between the operation of Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo and his "for profit" business venture called Safari Wild.  As part of a continuing investigation the Tampa Tribune documents the direct association between the tax-payer supported Lowry Park Zoo and Lex Salisbury's exotic animal park.
Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.


-Petas Priority?  Over 4 months have passed since 15 Patas monkeys escaped from Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild exotic animal park.  Immediately following their escape the focus of Lex Salisbury and Safari Wild appeared to be on that of recapturing these monkeys. Safari Wild has now completely removed reference to this serious incident and the 5 monkeys that remain at large from their website.  Safari Wild now seems more focused on the opening of their Safari Lodge, even though state and county officials have issued a "stop work order" of site development due to environmental and safety concerns.

-Are Fugitive Monkeys Lurking Near Her House?:  Another Possible Sighting of  the Primates that Escaped from Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild Exotic Animal Park: Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper

-Red Tape Entangles Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild Exotic Animal Park: State and County Officials Continue to Express Numerous Environmental and Safety Concerns. Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper

Animal Welfare Note:
Tampa's Zoo Advocates continues to request information from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission with regard to the Patas monkey's that escaped from Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild Exotic Animal Park as well as the numerous animals that have escaped from their enclosures at Lowry Park Zoo.  The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission continues to decline Tampa's Zoo Advocates request for the facts regarding the animal's that have escaped from Lowry Park Zoo and Safari Wild.

-Three months after a group of 15 Patas monkeys escaped from Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild Exotic Animal Park in Polk County, one-third of the fugitive primates remain at large and state officials say it is anyone's guess as to when they will be captured.  Gary Morse, a spokesman with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stated that "All the details will come out in our final investigation,". "Who knows when that's going to be." Full Story Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper

-Another 3 of Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild's Patas Monkey's Caught by Trappers, 7 Remain Free: Published in Polk County's Newspaper  "The Ledger".

Animal Welfare Note:

-Lex Salisbury has publicly stated that these recaptured patas monkey's will be relegated to spending their lives in cages. 

-Trappers Catch Another 3 of Lex Salisbury's (CEO and President of Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo) Safari Wild Monkeys: Published in the

June 16th, 2008: Tampa Tribune June 17th, 2008: Tampa Tribune

June 16th, 2008: St.Petersburg Times

Animal Welfare Notes:

-Lex Salisbury has publicly stated that these recaptured patas monkey's will be relegated to spending their lives in cages. 

-Lex Salisbury has stated that these patas monkeys as well as the Zoo's new white "albino" alligators were "rescued" from the wild. 

Natural Selection or Commercial Exploitation? .....You Decide.

-Safari Wild's recaptured patas monkeys are being housed at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.

Continuing Conflict of Interest? ......You Decide.

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-Agritourism Doesn't Justify Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild Exotic Animal Park: Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.

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-Lex Salisbury's (CEO and President of Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo)  Wild Safari Case Offers Window Into Polk County's Planning Morass:  Published in Polk County's Newspaper  "The Ledger".

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-State of Florida Wants Further Study of Lex Salisbury's (CEO and President of Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo) Safari Wild Exotic Animal Park:

Florida State regulations require governments that make development decisions regarding projects within areas of critical state concern to forward those decisions to DCA for review, Polk County never did that in this case:  Published in Polk County's Newspaper  "The Ledger".

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-State, Neighbors Aren't Wild About Lex Salisbury's (CEO and President of Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo) Exotic Animal Park:  Department of Community Affairs Issues a "Stop Work Order" for Safari Wild:  Published in the Tampa Tribune

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-Continuing Conflict of Interest: 2 Patas Monkeys Recaptured at Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild Moved to Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.  Published in the Orlando Sentinel

- The existence of Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild exotic animal park was a surprise to many neighboring residents as well as some Polk County Officials.

"Polk County planners ruled in 2006 that the proposed uses at Safari Wild should be classified as "Recreation Low-Intensity," which the county's development code defines as, "Areas for public and private passive outdoor recreational activities. Typical uses include, but are not limited to, parks, playgrounds, and walking, jogging, hiking, and bicycle paths/trails." Read the full story published in Polk County's Newspaper: "The Ledger"

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-Lex Salisbury's Safari Wild Jailbreak Monkeys Still Free in Polk County's Green Swamp: Reported by the St.Petersburg Times

Note: Lex Salisbury has publicly stated that when these monkey's are caught they will be relegated to spending their life in a cage.

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-Safari Wild's Public Relation Firm Announces 2 of 15 Runaway Monkey's Captured  (Tampa Tribune) 

-Lex Salisbury's Safari Park Plan Raises Concern About Possible Conflict With Lowry Park Zoo (Tampa Tribune) 

-Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo Becomes Involved With Safari Wild's Primate Rescue (Reported by WFTV Channel 9 News)

-Polk's Primate Recapture Depends on "Monkey Time" (Tampa Tribune & MSNBC)

-Chopper Pilot Spots Escaped Monkey's Under Tree In Polk County (Tampa Tribune)

- Monkey's Escape From Polk County Facility (MSNBC)

-Monkey's Made Like a Banana and Split (Tampa Tribune)

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A Continuing Pattern of Concern:

-Code 1 Animal Escapes at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo 

How You Can Help

Please contact the Polk County Commission and urge them, for the welfare of animals and the safety of the public to take a close look at Lex Salisbury's plans for Safari Wild.  In light of the recent escape at Safari Wild and the numerous animal's that have escaped their habitats at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo this development may not be in the best interest of their community.

Contact:

Commissioner Sam Johnson (Chairman)
E-mail: samjohnson@polk-county.net

Commissioner Jean Reed (Vice Chairman)
E-mail: jeanreed@polk-county.net

Commissioner Bob English
E-mail: bobenglish@polk-county.net

Commissioner Randy Wilkinson
E-mail: randywilkinson@polk-county.net

Commissioner Jack Myers
E-mail: jackmyers@polk-county.net