Mayor Greg Fischer announced Wednesday that John Walczak, longtime Director of the Louisville Zoo, is retiring, and a national search will be conducted for his replacement.
Walczak has been with the Zoo since 1985 and was named Director in 2004. During that time, the Zoo has added the award-winning Islands, Gorilla Forest, and Glacier Run exhibits, each recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for excellence and innovation.
“The Zoo we all know and appreciate ranks today among the best accredited zoos in the nation because John has worked tirelessly with so many friends, donors, staff and volunteers with a laser focus on success and growth,” Councilman Mulvihill said. “John has been a positive force in our community, igniting people’s passion for animals and working to advance species conservation and education. He helped bring us all nose-to-nose and hand-to-paw with animals, new exhibits, and presentations to strengthen our connection with wildlife and enhance our empathy for animals and nature. It has been an honor to work alongside John, along with our community, and I wish him all the best in retirement.”
Under Walczak’s leadership, the Zoo celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019, as well as milestones in its Black Footed Ferret Conversation Center, which marked its 25th anniversary in 2015; the much-anticipated and important birth of male elephant calf “Fitz”; and the transport and care of wild-born, rescued polar bear, Qannik.
“It’s impossible to understate John’s influence and commitment to making our Zoo one of the best in the nation, and his success can be seen in the smiles of every single person who visits,” the Mayor said. “John is dedicated to the Zoo’s mission to ‘better the bond between people and our planet,’ as evidenced by exhibits focused on education and conservation. John is an experienced, innovative leader and he will be missed. I deeply appreciate his willingness to stay on while we conduct a national search for his replacement.”
As Zoo Director, Walczak has been responsible for shaping the Zoo’s vision as well as creating and implementing its strategic plan while overseeing the work of 120 full-time, 10 part-time and more than 100 seasonal employees. He and the Zoo’s team won the AZA’s “Significant Achievement Education Award” for their School at the Zoo program and, along with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and nine other collaborating conservation partners, received “Top Honors” in AZA’s 2017 International Conservation Award for gorilla conservation.
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