Published: 6/24/2012

Long-time leader of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo retiring at year’s end

ASSOCIATED PRESS

CLEVELAND — The leader of northeast Ohio’s most-visited year-round attraction is beginning his final six months on the job.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Director Steve Taylor announced last week that he plans to retire at the end of this year.

Taylor was an animal keeper at the Los Angeles Zoo and director of the Sacramento Zoo before taking the Cleveland job in 1989.

During his tenure, the zoo opened its RainForest, safari-style African Elephant Crossing and Australian exhibits.

The 65-year-old Taylor plans to golf, hike and visit more zoos when he retires. He tells The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer (bit.ly/MnF53h) that he’s already visited 212 of 224 accredited zoos.

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