Head of Michigan zoo tapped to lead L.A. Zoo

LOS ANGELES (AP) The former director of a Michigan zoo has been tapped to become the new head of the Los Angeles Zoo.

John Lewis, 50, who was selected by Mayor James Hahn last week, leaves a zoo with fewer than 500,000 visitors each year to take the helm of one of nation's largest zoos. The L.A. Zoo drew 1.5 million people this past fiscal year.

``The L.A. Zoo offers me all kinds of opportunities for new experiences,'' said Lewis, who sees the zoo's mission as educating people about wildlife issues. ``And it may be one of the last chances I get to move into the bigger arena.''

During his 17 years running the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Lewis used a variety of gimmicks to entice visitors, offering overnight stays at the zoo and giving out free passes to lower-income children and their families.

Lewis was recruited by an executive search firm, Arcus and passed an interview with a panel of city officials and the mayor before being selected to zoo, whose budget is $17 million.

The City Council will vote whether to confirm Lewis later this month and set his salary. Interim director Ed Maruska earns $181,000.

``He's a well-seasoned director,'' said mayoral spokesman Julie Wong. ``We're very confident that Mr. Lewis is a great choice.''

Lewis grew up in southeastern Missouri and graduated from Northeast Louisiana University -- now called the University of Louisiana at Monroe -- with a bachelor's degree in animal science.

He planned to become a veterinarian, but when he began a job at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo in Monroe, he says he ``got hooked.''

Lewis is a member of the board of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, the nonprofit organization that accredits zoos.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)