Ethical questions have arisen regarding the association between Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, the Exotic Animal Trade, the Zoological Association of America.
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Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo like most reputable zoo's in the United States maintains accreditation and membership in the Association of Zoo's and Aquariums (AZA). The comprehensive list of AZA's membership includes some of the nations most respected institutions: AZA Accredited Zoos and Aquariums.
Some people might not be aware of an organization known as the Zoological Association of America ZAA (Formerly known as ZAOA).
ZAA's mission statement includes the following:
-Protect and defend the right to own animals.
-Promote conservation through commerce as the only sustainable alternative to failed command and control wildlife regulations.
-To defend the owners of animals against the false allegations and mischaracterizations of animal rights activists.
Ex-Lowry Park Zoo Director Lex Salisbury Opens Giraffe Ranch Attraction in Pasco County: Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper.
On the surface, you ride around on safari vehicles, feed giraffes and most likely leave Lex Salisbury's home/giraffe ranch smiling. Below the surface the reality of the exotic animal trade is led in part by the Zoological Society of America (ZAA). Both Lex Salisbury as well as Dr. Larry Killmar, Lowry Park Zoo's Director of Animal Collections are long standing members as well as former member's of the ZAA's Board of Directors: The Exotic Animal Trade Connection.
Former Zoo Boss May Be Fined: Former Lowry Park Zoo President Lex Salisbury Dug Unauthorized 2.6 Acre Watering Hole On His Personal Ranch.
The location changes, Lowry Park Zoo, Safari Wild (Adventures), his personal ranch in Dade City Florida, but the patter of concern continues: Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.
Lowry Park Zoo Official to Critics: Be Quiet or Be Sued: The Culture of Intimidation Continues:
In 2007 Lex Salisbury, former CEO and President of Lowry Park Zoo directed the Zoo's attorney to seek Tampa's Zoo Advocate's to "cease and desist" or face threat of legal action.
In 2008 when the facts regarding the association between Lex Salisbury, Lowry Park Zoo and the Zoological Association of America (exotic animal trade) was exposed by the Tampa Tribune, Channel 8 TV and the St.Petersburg Times, the Zoo once again threatened legal action to silence their critics.
Currently, Lary Killmar, Lowry Park Zoo's Director of Animal Collection's is threatening legal action against his critics, members of the Zoological Association of America, the same organization that forced his resignation along with that of Lex Salisbury.
Read the full story, published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.
Lowry Park Zoo Director of Animal Collections Larry Killmar and Former CEO Lex Salisbury Forced to Resign from the Zoological Association of America (ZAA):
Lex Salisbury and Larry Killmar resigned Thursday, December 18th from the Zoological Association of America, which had its office at Lowry Park Zoo. Killmar was chairman and Salisbury was secretary of the fledgling organization:
Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper and St.Petersburg Times Newspaper.
The St.Petersburg Times Newspaper exposes the intimate working relationship between Lowry Park Zoo, the ZAA and the Exotic Animal Trade: Read the Full Story
Additional information regarding this important community as well as worldwide issue can be found presented below.
Compared with the Association of Zoo's and Aquariums 215 plus accredited institutions, the Zoological Association of America's list of 35 accredited facilities is a much smaller and less impressive list of animal related organizations, which include:
Animal Source Texas: Krum, TX
B A Ranch: Dade City, FL (Lex Salisbury's personal home/business)
Exotic Critters: Anna, TX
El Rancho Exotica: Liberal, KS
Exotic Feline Breeding Compound: Rosamond, CA
Lazy 5 Ranch, Inc.: Mooresville, NC
Treetop Exotics: Denison, TX
ZAA facilities often include the opportunity for humans to physically interact with exotic animals.
One such ZAA accredited facility is the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. For a fee of $25 per child or $50 per adult visitors are allowed interaction with Bengal Tiger Cubs. These tiger cubs are on "loan" from an organization claiming to be serving as an animal "preserve". Facilities such as these often breed animals simply for the purpose of supplying zoo's and other roadside attractions with cute baby animals that visitors can interact with for a fee. Unfortunately for the animals, when they are no longer small, cute and cuddly they are discarded at canned hunts or put down.
It is also to be noted that recently the tie between Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo and the Zoological Association of America has grown much closer, examples of which include:
The Zoological Association of America's (ZAA) website presents their organization's base as:
Lowry Park Zoo
1101 W. Sligh Avenue
Tampa, FL 33604
(813)935-8552 Ext. 310
With e-mail contact via:
ZAOAinfo@lowryparkzoo.com
Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo recently began advertising for ZAOA employment positions via the zoo's website:
ZAA Office Manager
The Zoological Association of America held their 2007 convention at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.
Zoological Association of America Frequently Asked Questions
The association between Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, the Exotic Animal Trade, the Zoological Association of America and Lex Salisbury continues:
B.A. RANCH 4S Charles (Lex) Salisbury's home/business
Dade City, FL
View some of the exotic animals that roam Lex's ranch, such as pygmy hippo's, zebras, warthogs, bongo and antelope.
To view the photo's of Lex's exotic animals you'll simply need to scroll towards the bottom of this linked page as Tampa's Zoo Advocates was threatened with litigation if we presented these photos directly.
Lex's Exotic Animal Photos
Lex Salisbury recently announced the expansion of his involvement in the exotic animal trade
in the ninth chapter of the epic titled: Zoo Story, by Pulitzer Prize Winner Thomas French of the St.Petersburg Times:
Approximately nine months ago Lex joined another partner, a veterinarian in St.Petersburg Florida in purchasing 260 acres just outside of Lakeland Florida.
Lex and his partner are building a massive exotic animal game park. The exotic animals initially expected to be included within this "game park" are zebras, waterbuck and African cattle. In "Zoo Story" Lex stated that he hopes to bring cheetah, giraffes and maybe even more elephants to his latest business venture.
"Safari Wild" as the game park will be called is scheduled to open in 2009. Small tours in ground vehicles will serve as the means for visitors to get close to the exotic animals of the park. Lex announced that exotic animals for this venture have been collected from other countries as well as from institutions around the United States.
In Tom French's article Lex also stated that he had signed a memorandum of understanding with the executive committee of Lowry Park Zoo's board of directors. Lex has pledged that his new exotic animal park's relationship with the zoo will be non-competitive. Lex also stated that surplus animals from the zoo will be welcome in his exotic animal park.
"Zoos Wrestle With Fate of Surplus Animals": Published in the Journal of the American Vetinary Medical Association".
In 1994 Michael Winikoff published and investigative article titled "Blowing the Lid off Canned Hunts".
Based on an investigation by The Humane Society of the United States, Lowry Park Zoo was included in a list of 15 zoos that had sold animals either directly to canned hunts or to dealers who have done business with auctions or hunts.
What is a "Canned Hunt?"
Tampa's Zoo Advocates is embarking upon the process of obtaining the transcripts to this HSUS investigation and will be presenting it via this sections of our website.
In Tom French's "Zoo Story" Lex Salisbury also announced plans to further expand his association to the exotic animal trade. Lex stated that "Safari Wild" is just the interim step in his strategic design. Lex hopes that within five years to have acquired an even bigger parcel of land, possibly as much as 2,000 acres somewhere outside of Tampa. Lex stated that he sees this larger "game park", which would supplement the existing zoo, as the next stage in Lowry Park Zoo's evolution.
To quote Lex: "We're not done, we're just getting started".
Notable News: April 19th, 2008: 15 Primates Escape from Safari Wild, the New Exotic Animal Park Co-Owned by Lex Salisbury, President and CEO of Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo. Reported by the Tampa Tribune and MSNBC.
Additional Resources Regarding the Exotic Animal Trade:
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