After 24 years, several multi-million dollar exhibits and countless animal encounters, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Director Steve Taylor plans to retire at the end of this year.
A native of California, Taylor grew up in Inglewood and began his zoo career as an animal keeper at the Los Angeles Zoo. He was director of the Sacramento Zoo before moving to Cleveland in 1989 to assume the leadership role of the Zoo here.
As director, Taylor shepherded the Zoo through five multi-million dollar projects, beginning with the RainForest in 1992 all the way up through the magnificent African Elephant Crossing in 2011. His expertise and knowledge of the zoo industry have benefited not just the Zoo's staff and the collection and programs they manage, but all Northeast Ohioans who truly have a world-class zoo of which they can be proud.
�Cleveland Metroparks owes Steve a sincere thank you and congratulations on a job well-done,� said Cleveland Metroparks Executive Director Brian Zimmerman. �His leadership has helped build the solid reputation of Cleveland Metroparks and its commitment to conservation, education and recreation.�
During his tenure, Taylor developed the Zoo's first Conservation and Science division which now includes a staff of nationally recognized scientists and researchers who contribute to the Zoo's critical conservation efforts.
In recent months Taylor oversaw the creation of the Zoo's new strategic and master plans which will help guide the Zoo over the next several years.
Taylor currently lives in Rocky River with his wife Sarah.
Northeast Ohio's most-visited year-round attraction, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with hours extended to 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Admission is $12.25 per person, $8.25 for kids ages 2 to 11 and free for children younger than 2 and Zoo members. Parking is free. Located at 3900 Wildlife Way, the Zoo is easily accessible from Interstates 71, 90 and 480.
To learn more, visit clemetzoo.com or call (216) 661-6500.
