New Bedford, Massachusetts - Buttonwood Park Zoo Director, Louis E. Garibaldi announced he will retire today after serving as Zoo Director since 2004.  During his tenure as director, Buttonwood Park Zoo has expanded numerous exhibits and introduced innovative programs that have encouraged more families to discover the zoo.  2007 was a record breaking attendance year for the zoo with 13% more visitors entering the zoo gates than in 2006.
 
After conducting a nationwide search, the zoo director search committee recommended Dr. William Langbauer for the position.  Dr. Langbauer earned a Ph. D. in zoology from Boston University and has for the past 14 years been Director of Science and Conservation at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.  Dr. Langbauer has more than 20 years of experience in zoology and is particularly knowledgeable in the areas of conservation, education programming and research science as they relate to zoology.  Dr. Langbauer will assume the director’s position on January 6, 2008.  In the interim, William Sampson, currently a manager on the zoo staff, will oversee day-to-day operations at the facility.

“I thank Lou Garibaldi for his hard work and service and I welcome Dr. Langbauer to our city and look forward to working with him to continue to make the Buttonwood Park Zoo the best in the region,” said Mayor Scott W. Lang.

In 2003 the American Zoo and Aquarium Association called Buttonwood Park Zoo “one of the finest small zoos in the United States.”  The zoo is home to nearly 200 species of animals, ranging from tiny frogs to enormous elephants.  Buttonwood Park Zoo was established in 1894 and is the 12th oldest zoo in the United States. 

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Elizabeth Treadup (Mayor's Office)

View all articles by Elizabeth Treadup (Mayor's Office)