LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For nearly forty years the one constant at the Louisville Zoo has been director John Walczak.  Wednesday Mayor Greg Fischer announced Walczak would be retiring at the end of the summer.  A national search is being conducted to find his replacement. 

Walczak joined the Zoo in 1985 and became its Director in 2004. During that time the Zoo has added several award-winning exhibits including Islands, Gorilla Forest, and Glacier Run, each recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for excellence and innovation. 

In a statement, Mayor Fischer said, “It’s impossible to overstate John’s influence and commitment to making our Zoo one of the best in the nation, and his success can be seen in the smiles of every single person who visits,” the Mayor said. “John is dedicated to the Zoo’s mission to ‘better the bond between people and our planet,’ as evidenced by exhibits focused on education and conservation. John is an experienced, innovative leader and he will be missed. I deeply appreciate his willingness to stay on while we conduct a national search for his replacement.”

Walczak also helped the Zoo celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2019 and several other milestones including the birth of the male elephant calf, "Fitz" and the arrival and care of the wild-born, rescued polar bear, Qannik.

Fitz the elephant was born on Aug. 2, 2019. Here he is on September 13, 2019. (Louisville Zoo)

As Zoo Director, Walczak has shaped the Zoo's vision and its strategic plan along with overseeing 120 full-time employees, 10 part-time, and more than 100 seasonal employees.  Walczak and the Louisville Zoo won the AZA's "Significant Achievement Education Award" for its School at the Zoo program and has received "Top Honors" in AZA's 2017 International Conservation  Award for gorilla conservation. 

Walczak's contributions aren't limited to the Zoo.  He has served on many local boards including the Partnership for Creative Economies, Rotary Club of Louisville, the Arts and Cultural Attractions Council, and Indiana University Southeast.  He is also very active in the AZA.

Walczak said in the statement, his time with the Louisville Zoo “have been a labor of love.” 

“It isn’t easy to step away, but this is the right time to do so. We have a strong leadership team with a dedicated and passionate staff that will help the next leader continue advancing the success and mission of this community treasure,” he said. “I have heard many stories from the 25 million people who have visited our Zoo during my tenure. It is beyond rewarding to learn from these members and guests that the efforts of staff, dedicated volunteers and donors have created many great memories for them and inspired caring for wildlife and the health of our planet. It has been an honor to lead this wonderful organization these last seventeen years. I look forward to watching and supporting the growth of our Zoo into the future.”