Another article about the Snow leopards :
Two Rare Snow Leopard Cubs Born at Akron Zoo - ZooBorns
Two Rare Snow Leopard Cubs Born at Akron Zoo - ZooBorns
Akron Zoo Akron Zoo News 2014
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From the zoo's Facebook page:
It is bittersweet for us to let you know that president & CEO, L. Patricia Simmons has accepted a position with the North Carolina Zoo, in Asheboro, NC. “It was a difficult decision to leave the Akron Zoo, which is near and dear to my heart. I feel our zoo is in a great place right now and I am leaving at a high point in the zoo’s history,” commented Simmons. Pat will remain in her current position until August 31, 2014.
In 30 years of service to the Akron Zoo, Pat has secured a stable source of funding for us, developed a top rate conservation education program, and implemented a 14 year master plan that included adding more than 30 new animal exhibits, the latest project being the Mike & Mary Stark Grizzly Ridge which opened last July. Last year we had our largest attendance in zoo history with over 389,000 visitors.
“It is hard to see Pat go, we wish her the best of luck and know she will do an outstanding job for them as she did for us. The Akron Zoo is in a strong position and the Akron Zoo Board of Directors will work to make sure it remains the most visited attraction in Summit County as we continue to implement the future strategic master plan,” states Bob Littman, Chairman Akron Zoo Board of Trustees.
We wish Pat the best of luck and will miss her dearly!!!
https://www.facebook.com/AkronZoo
It is bittersweet for us to let you know that president & CEO, L. Patricia Simmons has accepted a position with the North Carolina Zoo, in Asheboro, NC. “It was a difficult decision to leave the Akron Zoo, which is near and dear to my heart. I feel our zoo is in a great place right now and I am leaving at a high point in the zoo’s history,” commented Simmons. Pat will remain in her current position until August 31, 2014.
In 30 years of service to the Akron Zoo, Pat has secured a stable source of funding for us, developed a top rate conservation education program, and implemented a 14 year master plan that included adding more than 30 new animal exhibits, the latest project being the Mike & Mary Stark Grizzly Ridge which opened last July. Last year we had our largest attendance in zoo history with over 389,000 visitors.
“It is hard to see Pat go, we wish her the best of luck and know she will do an outstanding job for them as she did for us. The Akron Zoo is in a strong position and the Akron Zoo Board of Directors will work to make sure it remains the most visited attraction in Summit County as we continue to implement the future strategic master plan,” states Bob Littman, Chairman Akron Zoo Board of Trustees.
We wish Pat the best of luck and will miss her dearly!!!
https://www.facebook.com/AkronZoo
Akron Zoo Press Release
PRESIDENT & CEO, L. PATRICIA SIMMONS, ACCEPTS POSITION AT THE NORTH CAROLINA ZOO
The Akron Zoo announces the resignation of president & CEO, L. Patricia Simmons. Simmons has accepted a position with the North Carolina Zoo, in Asheboro, NC. “It was a difficult decision to leave the Akron Zoo, which is near and dear to my heart. I feel our zoo is in a great place right now and I am leaving at a high point in the zoo’s history,” commented Simmons. Simmons will remain in her current position until August 31, 2014.
Simmons will be joining the North Carolina Zoo as deputy director and chief operating officer. The North Carolina Zoo is the largest walk-through zoo in the world and averages 700,000 visitors annually.
Her appointment is part of a long-range strategic plan which includes a master plan and strategic growth opportunities for the zoo. Simmons will move into the director position in 2016 when current director, Dr. David Jones, DVM retires. “This is a wonderful opportunity for me to us my experience to assist another AZA accredited institution with their growth opportunities and long-range plans. It will be an exciting new challenge,” says Simmons.
“I am delighted that Pat has decided to join us here in North Carolina,” said Jones. “There is no one better qualified to take our beautiful zoo to the next level.”
In 30 years of service to the Akron Zoo, Simmons secured a stable source of funding for the zoo, developed a top rate conservation education program, and implemented a 14 year master plan that included adding more than 30 new animal exhibits, the latest project being the Mike & Mary Stark Grizzly Ridge which opened last July. Last year the Akron Zoo had its largest attendance in zoo history with over 389,000 visitors.
“It is hard to see Pat go, we wish her the best of luck and know she will do an outstanding job for them as she did for us. The Akron Zoo is in a strong position and the Akron Zoo Board of Directors will work to make sure it remains the most visited attraction in Summit County as we continue to implement the future strategic master plan,” states Bob Littman, Chairman Akron Zoo Board of Trustees.
https://www.akronzoo.org/News.aspx?P=1
PRESIDENT & CEO, L. PATRICIA SIMMONS, ACCEPTS POSITION AT THE NORTH CAROLINA ZOO
The Akron Zoo announces the resignation of president & CEO, L. Patricia Simmons. Simmons has accepted a position with the North Carolina Zoo, in Asheboro, NC. “It was a difficult decision to leave the Akron Zoo, which is near and dear to my heart. I feel our zoo is in a great place right now and I am leaving at a high point in the zoo’s history,” commented Simmons. Simmons will remain in her current position until August 31, 2014.
Simmons will be joining the North Carolina Zoo as deputy director and chief operating officer. The North Carolina Zoo is the largest walk-through zoo in the world and averages 700,000 visitors annually.
Her appointment is part of a long-range strategic plan which includes a master plan and strategic growth opportunities for the zoo. Simmons will move into the director position in 2016 when current director, Dr. David Jones, DVM retires. “This is a wonderful opportunity for me to us my experience to assist another AZA accredited institution with their growth opportunities and long-range plans. It will be an exciting new challenge,” says Simmons.
“I am delighted that Pat has decided to join us here in North Carolina,” said Jones. “There is no one better qualified to take our beautiful zoo to the next level.”
In 30 years of service to the Akron Zoo, Simmons secured a stable source of funding for the zoo, developed a top rate conservation education program, and implemented a 14 year master plan that included adding more than 30 new animal exhibits, the latest project being the Mike & Mary Stark Grizzly Ridge which opened last July. Last year the Akron Zoo had its largest attendance in zoo history with over 389,000 visitors.
“It is hard to see Pat go, we wish her the best of luck and know she will do an outstanding job for them as she did for us. The Akron Zoo is in a strong position and the Akron Zoo Board of Directors will work to make sure it remains the most visited attraction in Summit County as we continue to implement the future strategic master plan,” states Bob Littman, Chairman Akron Zoo Board of Trustees.
https://www.akronzoo.org/News.aspx?P=1
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
A HUGE loss for Akron and a great move for NC. Pat is terrific and highly respected.
From the Zoo's Facebook page ...
The snow leopard cubs that were born April 14, 2014 will make their public debut early next month. But before they we need your help! The naming contest, which is sponsored by the Akron Beacon Journal and Ohio.com, will run June 15 – 26 and people are welcomed to submit their favorite choices. To vote people can go to zoocontest.ohio.com starting Sunday and submit one male and one female name for the cubs. The person that submits the winning names will win a snow leopard gift basket!
The snow leopard cubs that were born April 14, 2014 will make their public debut early next month. But before they we need your help! The naming contest, which is sponsored by the Akron Beacon Journal and Ohio.com, will run June 15 – 26 and people are welcomed to submit their favorite choices. To vote people can go to zoocontest.ohio.com starting Sunday and submit one male and one female name for the cubs. The person that submits the winning names will win a snow leopard gift basket!
Zoo News
Here is some Akron Zoo news from today:
Sloth bear Sakar (Male; from Cleveland; born 12/29/2004) has arrived to join Keesha (Female; born 1/4/1996). According to what I have been told, they have been introduced with a fence in between but that is it. The person I talked to referred to him as Sabar, but there is not Sabar in the studbook. I am assuming it is Sakar since Balawat moved to Cleveland. Sakar did damage a part of the wall near the tiger exhibit. The zoo has boarded up the wall and placed the electric bush-shaped fences (like in the grizzly bear exhibit) have been placed along this wall of the exhibit. There has not been an official announcement of his arrival yet.
Sumatran tiger Sanjiv (Male; from Atlanta; born 7/5/2011) arrived several months ago and will rotate on exhibit w/ Kami Sambol (Male; born 3/6/2008). There has not been an official announcement of his arrival yet.
Ewww! at the Zoo has opened next to the lion exhibit. It is an educational display with fun facts and interactivities. You will not miss it since it is brightly colored in fluorescent colors.
There are some new fish in Journey to the Reef including a new species of eel that I have to still identify. Some of the coral has been removed since the coral exhibit was getting crowded. The seahorse babies have grown up and most have move to other institutions.
The wooden fence along the former Perkins Park Drive in the Lehner Family Zoo Gardens has been removed because it was beginning to deteriorate. Wood has been added to the main perimeter fence, but I am unsure what it will finally look like.
The Gardener’s Shed has seen some changes. The groundhog exhibit is gone and replaced with stone-pavement and potted herbs. The old rabbit yard fencing as been removed. Off the Tracks Snacks has yet to open this season, but all of the work around it may have delayed its opening.
I have not seen the education animal exhibits in Grizzly Ridge have animals in them so far this summer, but the right side was renovated earlier this year.
Waterfowl have returned to the Tiger Valley gorge exhibit. The exhibit has a grass floor now instead of a stone floor. The exhibit next door (formerly gibbon, most recent housed extra white storks) is empty. I do not know what will live here next.
There are birds living in the old aviary between Tiger Valley and Wild Prairie. I have so far seen ring-necked doves, Bali mynahs, and Nenes in there. I do not know if the zoo is planning on reopening the exhibit.
Here is some Akron Zoo news from today:
Sloth bear Sakar (Male; from Cleveland; born 12/29/2004) has arrived to join Keesha (Female; born 1/4/1996). According to what I have been told, they have been introduced with a fence in between but that is it. The person I talked to referred to him as Sabar, but there is not Sabar in the studbook. I am assuming it is Sakar since Balawat moved to Cleveland. Sakar did damage a part of the wall near the tiger exhibit. The zoo has boarded up the wall and placed the electric bush-shaped fences (like in the grizzly bear exhibit) have been placed along this wall of the exhibit. There has not been an official announcement of his arrival yet.
Sumatran tiger Sanjiv (Male; from Atlanta; born 7/5/2011) arrived several months ago and will rotate on exhibit w/ Kami Sambol (Male; born 3/6/2008). There has not been an official announcement of his arrival yet.
Ewww! at the Zoo has opened next to the lion exhibit. It is an educational display with fun facts and interactivities. You will not miss it since it is brightly colored in fluorescent colors.
There are some new fish in Journey to the Reef including a new species of eel that I have to still identify. Some of the coral has been removed since the coral exhibit was getting crowded. The seahorse babies have grown up and most have move to other institutions.
The wooden fence along the former Perkins Park Drive in the Lehner Family Zoo Gardens has been removed because it was beginning to deteriorate. Wood has been added to the main perimeter fence, but I am unsure what it will finally look like.
The Gardener’s Shed has seen some changes. The groundhog exhibit is gone and replaced with stone-pavement and potted herbs. The old rabbit yard fencing as been removed. Off the Tracks Snacks has yet to open this season, but all of the work around it may have delayed its opening.
I have not seen the education animal exhibits in Grizzly Ridge have animals in them so far this summer, but the right side was renovated earlier this year.
Waterfowl have returned to the Tiger Valley gorge exhibit. The exhibit has a grass floor now instead of a stone floor. The exhibit next door (formerly gibbon, most recent housed extra white storks) is empty. I do not know what will live here next.
There are birds living in the old aviary between Tiger Valley and Wild Prairie. I have so far seen ring-necked doves, Bali mynahs, and Nenes in there. I do not know if the zoo is planning on reopening the exhibit.
The Akron Zoo’s new tiger Sanjiv has a strong link to Akron. His father Kavi was born at Akron to Sobat and Aneh. Sobat’s grandmother Bea lived her last several years at the zoo when she died in her early twenties. I fondly remember Sanjiv’s grandparents. They were good friends of mine. I remember his father when he was baby along with his Uncle Raguno. Kami Sambol replaced Aneh after her death along with his brothers Burung and Jae-Jae. With Kami Sambol’s return to the zoo last year after spending some time in Montgomery, both of the zoo’s tigers now have a historical link to the zoo.
Welcome Back, Kavi!
Welcome Back, Kavi!
The zoo has answered some questions for me. Here are the answers:
There are currently no plans for the old gibbon exhibit.
The old aviary is housing some birds, but it will not be reopening any time soon.
Off The Track Snacks will open in a few weeks.
The animals on the grizzly porch should be out later this summer. In the meantime our education department will occasionally bring animals out for an up close experience.
The new species of eel is the zebra moray.
There are currently no plans for the old gibbon exhibit.
The old aviary is housing some birds, but it will not be reopening any time soon.
Off The Track Snacks will open in a few weeks.
The animals on the grizzly porch should be out later this summer. In the meantime our education department will occasionally bring animals out for an up close experience.
The new species of eel is the zebra moray.
The snow leopards cubs have been named Malaya and Makalu. They debut on exhibit tomorrow from 10:15am to 11:15am.
According to the zoo’s latest newsletter, the zoo has over 25 acres for future expansion.
Are there any concrete plans for any expansion?
What does a … Masterplan have to say about this?
TeamTapir223
Well-Known Member
With a search for a new director underway any current plans could certainly be up in the air.
Team Tapir223
Malaya and Makalu are now out on exhibit with mom Shanti from 10:15am to 11:45am daily. This time will grow as they get used to being out on exhibit.
The zoo is finally providing its real street and GPS address since moving the zoo's parking entrance over a decade ago. See both addresses below:
Mailing address
500 Edgewood Ave.
Akron, Ohio 44307
Street & GPS address
504 Euclid Ave.
Akron, Ohio 44307
Mailing address
500 Edgewood Ave.
Akron, Ohio 44307
Street & GPS address
504 Euclid Ave.
Akron, Ohio 44307
Has anyone heard who the Interim President and CEO will be? I have not heard yet.
Senior Vice-President and General Manager Patricia Waickman will be the Interim President and CEO beginning Monday after L. Patricia Simmons departure. More info on the search is at the link below.
Search firm seeking replacement for CEO of Akron Zoo - Local - Ohio