Mesker Park Zoo has a new zoo director, Amos Morris, who is coming from the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. We wish Amos Morris all the best here in Evansville.

Mesker Park Zoo Introduces New Zoo Director

EVANSVILLE - The new Director of Mesker Park Zoo is officially on duty after being hired back in November.

Amos Morris comes to Evansville from the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. He comes into Evansville as the zoo is enjoying a comeback.

NEWS 25 met up with Morris to find what his plans are to keep Mesker on the upswing.

Morris says he wants the zoo to be the best in the country, but it's going to take time.

Morris tells NEWS 25, "We'd love to expand, we'd love to continue to grow the zoo. You know, do fresh and news things."

He says, "I bring to the zoo a wealth of experienced information. I've been in the zoo profession for almost 20 years."

Morris gave NEWS 25 a tour of AMAZONIA today.

He says it's exhibits like this one, that keep him wanting more for

Evansville. "My biggest question is do you want to do it again, and every individual that i asked that, was like yes we want to do it again."

Morris says first up; get to know the zoo, the employees, and the city.

He says new exhibits are a possibility but it's important to build on what's already there.

Morris says he wants to, "Update older facilities to give you the same type of ambiance. The quality of work, spread that out around the zoo to bring up some of the older sections of the zoo and kind of modernize."

But with the current economy, and money tight, is this really a possibility?

Morris tells us, "Everybody's pinching pennies trying to weather the

storm, but I think it's a new day. It's the beginning of the year. We want to move forward with positive energy."

Morris says he's been working closely with Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel to take the park to where it needs to be. The mayor released this statement when Morris was hired:"I am confident that he will build on the success we've seen with AMAZONIA and take Mesker Park Zoo to even greater heights."

Morris says, "I think as long as we can represent the community with our zoo in a professional manner. I think people will continue to develop pride in the jewel that they have here."

According to Morris, he works closely with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and will use that relationship to better Mesker Park Zoo.

Source: http://www.abc25.com/dsp_story.cfm?storyid=10887&RequestTimeout=500