"Tampa's Zoo Advocates" recognizes the need for a positive and safe work environment. As numerous members of our group are current or former employees of our community's Zoo, we truly believe that we have a realistic perspective regarding the staff and visitor welfare issues that need to be addressed.
*Lowry
Park Zoo's Response to "American Disability Act" (ADA) Lawsuit Filed in
2007: "Cover it Up": Lowry Park Zoo Closes and Entombs Tiger
and Bear Observation Area with Concrete Wall:
In 2007, a handicapped man and his family filed a federal lawsuit Friday
accusing Lowry Park Zoo of failing to comply with the Americans with
Disabilities Act: Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper: Read
Instead of improving access to animal exhibits as required by ADA, Lowry Park Zoo closes and entombs the Tiger and Bear observation area: View Picture.
Lowry Park Zoo's Veterinarian, Manatee Expert Resigns: The Story Behind the Story: Dr. David Murphy is quoted as saying that he was "Re-evaluating his severance package". Both Lowry Park Zoo President Craig Pugh, Public Spokesperson Rachael Nelson and Dr. David Murphy refuse to disclose the exact reason for this sudden and dramatic change of course for one of the nations finest zoological institutions.
Meanwhile, Dr. Larry Killmar, Lowry Park Zoo's Director of Animal Collections, the person who signed off on all of former zoo President Lex Salisbury's controversial animal transactions with Safari Wild and member of the controversial "Zoological Association of America" (ZAA not AZA) remains in charge of the zoo's animal operations.
Lowry Park Zoo Layoffs; Distinguished Veterinarian of 20+ Years Departs: During the first week of May, Lowry Park Zoo conducted a layoff of staff members. During this same period, Dr. David Murphy, the distinguished veterinarian of approximately 20 years departs. New job postings for "Medical Science Director" and "Associate Veterinarian" Read.
Tampa's Zoo Advocates has contacted Rachel Nelson, Lowry Park Zoo's Director of Public Relations requesting additional information regarding the Zoo's recent layoffs. Employees were required to sign a waiver of nondisclosure regarding the release of information associated with the layoff.
Pattern
of Concern Continues: Lowry Park Zoo Allows Behind the Scenes Visitors
to "Pet" Rhinoceros: Imagine you and your children reaching through the stockade fence to hand pet a rhinoceros weighing several thousand pounds:
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.
Lowry Park Zoo Given One
Year to Make Improvements: Following an Inspection by the Association of
Zoo's and Aquariums (AZA) Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo is Given Grace Period to
Rectify Deficiencies or Once Again Face Loss of Accreditation:
One of many questions
that comes to mind is that the AZA inspection reports the zoo must revamp a boardwalk
approximately a quarter-mile long. New Lowry Park Zoo President Craig
Pugh is quoted as saying that the boardwalk is structurally sound, but older
sections have to be replaced. This seems to conflict with Lowry
Park Zoo Spokeswoman Rachel Nelson's statement: "The association found no
concerns with animal or visitor safety at Lowry Park Zoo"
Tampa's
Zoo Advocates hopes that Mr. Pugh's leadership will result in an environment of
well-being for the animals, staff and visitors of our community's tax-payer
supported zoo. So too is it our hope that under
Mr. Pugh's guidance, the Lowry Park Zoological Society will operate in a
more transparent manner with regard to the magnificent animals who call the zoo
home.
Tampa's Zoo Advocates respectfully
requests that Lowry Park Zoo publically report all Code 1 animal escapes,
animal deaths as well as the sales/transfer of all animals entrusted to our
community's zoo.
Lowry
Park Zoo Looking to Expand Alcohol Permit: Approval Would Allow Alcohol
Sales Within 1,000 Feet of Several Churches: Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.
Lowry Park Zoo Seeks OK To Sell More Booze, Including the Parking Lot: The #1 Family Friendly Zoo in America Seeks to Increase it's Bottom Line: Published in the Tampa Tribune Newpaper.
Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, A Continuing Legal Retrospective: Clerk of the Circuit Court, Hillsborough County, Florida: The
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in the State of Florida, in and for
Hillsborough County Civil Division: Hortense and Quitman Lott versus
Lowry Park Zoological Society: Read
Tampa's Zoo Advocates has compiled a comprehensive Hillsborough County's health inspection reports for Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo at the bottom of this web page, including a "Food Borne Illness Investigation" report.
As AZA Review Looms, Lowry Park Zoo Seeks New Chief: Lowry Park Zoo is about to embark on a comprehensive reaccreditation process without a permanent leader in place: Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.
How Safe Is Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo: Chlorine Confirmed as Source of Problems at Lowry Park Zoo's Fountains: A continuing pattern of concern with regard to the safety/wellbeing of the visitors and staff of Lowry Park Zoo. Twenty five children suffer exposure to elevated levels of chlorine in the Billabong water play area, with some experiencing rashes and taken to the hospital. Lowry Park Zoo is Making Changes: Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.
Lowry Park Zoo Not Out of the Woods; Zoo Faces Two Paths as Final Audit Approaches: Tampa City auditors are expected to release a final report this week that former zoo chief Lex Salisbury used more than $202,000 in zoo supplies and animals for personal gain.
City of Tampa officials are expected to turn over this report to law enforcement officials, who expressed interest in reviewing whether Salisbury broke the law. Mayor Pam Iorio has recommended a criminal investigation.
In March, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums will decide whether to lift its suspension of the zoo's accreditation.
Lowry Park Zoo Board of Directors Approves New Policies; Chairman Bob Merritt Resigns: Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper.
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.
Tampa's Zoo Advocates began our efforts towards advocating for the welfare of our animal and human zoo friends long before the association between Lex Salisbury, Lowry Park Zoo and Safari Wild became known. Our initial focus was on other important issues of concern, such as:
-Code 1 Animal Escapes, most unreported to the public. -Health Code Violations in the zoo's Food Services department. -USDA Animal Welfare Violations. -Security/Safety Risks of Visitors/Employees. -Unusually Excessive Employee Turnover Concerns.
The above mentioned issues of concern continue to remain unresolved within our community's zoo. New leadership at the helm of our community's zoo will be critical towards restoring public/taxpayer trust. So too however is it imperative that the action/inaction of the Zoo's Executive Board of Directors be scrutinized to ensure that other issues of animal and human welfare concern be addressed.
Tampa's Zoo Advocates will continue to strive towards seeking to advocate for excellence within our community's zoo.
The Public Continues to Speak Out Regarding Lex Salisbury, Lowry Park Zoo; Past, Present and Future: Editorials Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.
-Overhaul Zoo Board But Don't Toss it to Wolves: Editorial Published in the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.
Zoo Chief Gone; Problems Aren't: Lowry Park Zoo Deputy Directory Craig Pugh announced the return to "business" following the resignation of CEO Lex Salisbury. Tampa's Zoo Advocates will continue our effort\s towards ensuring that in moving forth, the zoo does not simply conduct business as "usual".
Yes, This Place Really is a Zoo:
Steve Otto and the Tampa Tribune are to be commended for not letting this important issue "slip" from the public's focus. Published in the Tampa Tribune 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 Complete 61 Page City Audit of Lowry Park Zoo: Published by the Tampa Tribune Newspaper.
Fired Employee Sues Lowry Park Zoo: A former Lowry Park Zoo employee is suing the zoo and the local water district, saying they failed to reimburse him for improvements he made on property used to house endangered animals. Published in the St.Petersburg Times Newspaper and Tampa Tribune Newspaper.
View the Lawsuit Filed in the Circuit Court of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County, Florida.
Approximately 2 years ago Tampa's Zoo Advocates set forth to advocate for the welfare of the animals, staff and visitors of our community's tax-payer supported zoo. At that time, in an internal zoo memo Lex Salisbury described Tampa's Zoo Advocates as a small group of "vindictive" former employees seeking to tarnish the zoo's reputation.
Currently, the public is voicing the same issues of concern that our group has been seeking to have zoo management address for over 2 years:
"Zoo Has Lost Focus" Published in the Tampa Tribune by a Recent Visitor to Lowry Park Zoo
During our tenure at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo salaried employees like ourselves were mandated to work overtime during special events without compensation. During such events as ZooBoo, Wild Wonderland, $3 (now $5) Community Days, salaried employees were required by zoo management to work a substantial amount of overtime without being compensated for these extra hours. Below you will find information regarding a former zoo employee who filed a lawsuit in Federal Court in April of 2008. This case was settled on September 15, 2008.
Former Employee Files a Civil Lawsuit Against Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo: Animal Keeper Reported the Unsafe Handling of Animals and was Terminated. Reported in the St. Petersburg Times Newspaper.
The Hillsborough County Health Department, Environmental Health Services Division is the government organization in charge of upholding food safety standards within Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo's restaurants and food stands. This organization also issues the permits required to operate food establishments within the zoo.
The Hillsborough County Health Department, Environmental Health Services Division issues these permits and upholds the food safety standards by conducting site inspections of each restaurant/food stand.
"Tampa's Zoo Advocates" has obtained copies of official records illustrating serious violations within the Zoo's food service operations. These significant violations directly have and continue to effect the welfare of the visitors and staff of Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.
Violations were documented in each of the Zoo's 4 main restaurants: The Garden Grille, Paradise Cafe, Grub and Grog and Cracker Shack.
The time period for the following Inspection Reports date from 2002 to Present.
The following documents include violations such as:
Having operated 2 Restaurants and 3 Food Stands without the required permits or prior inspections
A "Foodborne Illness Outbreak" investigation and confirmation.
Numerous "Unsatisfactory" inspections reports.
2 "Stop Sale Notices" issued for improper food temperature violations.
Numerous "sanitary" violations, such as an employee with dirt under their fingernails and a cut on their hand serving food, without wearing required gloves.
The United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) is the governing body most directly responsible for the standards to which Zoo's are held accountable.
Tampa's Zoo Advocates has obtained several official USDA Inspection Reports that found serious infractions at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo in 2005 and 2006.
These reported infractions involve such serious issues as "Handling of Animals", "Employee Training", "Primary Animal Enclosures" and "Facilities, General".
Infractions such as the ones detailed in the following USDA Inspection Reports directly affect the welfare of the animals, staff and visitors of Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.
Tampa's Zoo Advocates will be presenting additional USDA Inspection Reports as they become available.
We encourage you to become an advocate for positive change within Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo by sharing these important issues with the media in your community.
