OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Mayor Pam Iorio

Subject: Lowry Park Zoo Preliminary Audit

The City of Tampa embarked on an audit of the Zoo after media reports revealed that the Zoo president/CEO had opened a for-profit venture called Safari Wild and the Zoo had built a structure on the property. Further, information came to our attention that animals belonging to the Zoo were moved to Safari Wild. We asked for an accounting of all zoo animals since the animals belong to the City. The response from the CEO was that he did not believe that the animals belonged to the city even though this is clearly stated in the lease agreement. In a meeting with the Zoo CEO he did not acknowledge any conflict of interest in his work as the head of the Zoo and the owner of the for-profit Safari Wild.

These responses caused the City concern as to the bigger picture of Zoo management and the disposition of assets. I asked our audit department to embark on a thorough review of the zoo’s operations. The preliminary results of the audit have been made available to the Zoo’s Executive Committee today, as well as to the media.

The audit shows a pattern of mixing zoo business with the for-profit business of the CEO and his personal ranch. The conflicts are numerous and inappropriate. The Zoo receives tax money and is located on City land with the city owning many of its assets. We expect a high level of professional management, sound ethical judgment and fiscal transactions that are above reproach. The audit shows serious deficiencies in all of these areas.

My concern is for the reputation and future of the Zoo. It is considered to be one of the finest in the nation and people throughout the area take enormous pleasure in visiting the Zoo. These findings are blight on an otherwise great asset of our community.

I understand that the Executive Committee of the Zoo heard the preliminary audit results this morning. They voted to convene a meeting of the full board next week to be briefed on the City’s audit findings prior to taking further action.

I know the Board is committed to addressing all of the findings and recommendations contained in the audit. They all serve on the Board because of their love for the Zoo and I know they are distressed by the findings and want to set the Zoo on a positive track as quickly as possible.