City Of Tulsa Moving Forward With Privatizing Of The Tulsa Zoo

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- A report from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) re-affirms the urgency to transition the Tulsa Zoo to private governance with additional funding as soon as possible.

That according to Phil Lakin, CEO of the Tulsa Community Foundation. 

The Tulsa Zoo is currently under the direction of the City of Tulsa's park department.

Read the AZA report.

In a news release Friday morning, Phil Lakin was appointed last fall to lead a City of Tulsa and Tulsa Zoo Friends task force in the examination of new governance and financial restructuring for the Tulsa Zoo.

The AZA report was at the request of City of Tulsa Park Director Lucy Dolman.

In February, the AZA Accreditation Inspection team conducted a review of the Tulsa Zoo after the loss of two Tulsa Zoo giraffes.

"While clearly detailing our challenges, the report will be of tremendous benefit to the Zoo," said Terrie Correll, Zoo Director.

5/7/2010 Related Story: Tulsa Zoo Inspection Lists Concerns, Need For Repairs

"The report identifies numerous essential infrastructure, maintenance and staffing requirements that Tulsa must address if we are going to have a quality accredited zoo. We have already addressed some items highlighted by AZA and are making plans to address the remainder."

Read Tulsa Zoo director's response to AZA report.

The Tulsa Community Foundation has funded a governance and management analysis which calls for the city to transition the Tulsa Zoo's governance to a "star power" board charged with raising additional funding, developing a strategic plan and moving all employees under a single management.

4/15/2010 Related story: Tulsa Zoo Announces New Prices, Rental Venues

According to the release, plans are moving forward to name the board for Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc, (TZMI) a non-profit local board who will oversee the transition.

"We hope to have the board as well as a transition coordinator in place by the end of this month," Phil Lakin said.