The executive director of the Oklahoma City Zoo turned in his resignation Wednesday, and zoo trustees appointed the director of animal management to temporarily take his place.

Bert Castro resigned during a meeting of the Oklahoma Zoological Trust almost a week after his plans to leave the zoo became public. He accepted the top position at the Phoenix Zoo.

"It's been a great run for me," he said. "I think I've worked with the greatest bunch of people I ever have. ... I hope I've made a little bit of difference. I think I've done that."

Trustees named Brian Aucone, animal management director, as interim zoo director. His pay will be $80,000 a year plus a bonus at the end of his term. He will take over Jan. 11, when Castro leaves. Aucone will be responsible for his old and new jobs until a new executive director is hired.

"It'll be a challenge," he said. "It's a great team. We all work great together ... and I don't see a change to that." Trust Chairman Dick Beshear said he will serve as chairman of the executive director search committee. He said he will invite current and former trustees, department heads, employees and volunteers to join the search committee.

"I want to make sure everybody has some involvement in this search," he said. "I feel very confident that we'll get an excellent group of people interested in our executive director position."

'A lot more animals'
Castro, 46, has been zoo director since May 2001. He'll take over Feb.1 as president and chief executive officer of the Phoenix Zoo.

Castro said officials at the Phoenix Zoo approached him. Rumors of Castro's departure began circulating earlier this month, and employees began circulating a letter of support asking him to stay.

Castro received praise from trustees, staff and others at the meeting.

"This zoo's in a lot better shape than before you got here," said Bill Glass, a zoo enthusiast and Bethany resident. "There's a lot more animals, anyway."

Most zoo projects will likely remain on schedule, zoo spokeswoman Tara Henson said. The new Children's Zoo is set to open in May 2009. The other large project, an Asian exhibit set to open in 2011, will likely be put on hold, she said, until a permanent executive director is hired.

Source: Carrie Coppernoll, The Oklahoman
Contact: Zoo Public Relations
View the article on NewsOK.com