Meet The Zoo Director - January - Steve Taylor, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Name: Steve H. Taylor

Actual title: Zoo Director

Name of your zoo or aquarium: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

URL for your facility: www.clemetzoo.com

Number of species at your facility: 550

Your favorite critter at the facility: Too many to name, if forced to choose it would be elephants.

Total number of animals or fish at your facility: 2,286 plus 59 colonies

Number of visitors annually: 1.2 million

Number of employees: 175 full-time, 55 part-time and 200+ seasonals

Number of volunteers: 500

Annual budget: $ 18 million (Zoo), $4 million Zoological Society

Degree(s): BS in Biology from U.C. Irvine

Experience prior to this position: Director, Sacramento Zoo; Manager San Francisco Children’s Zoo, Animal Keeper, Los Angeles Zoo

Favorite part of your job: Planning for the future.

One dream wish for your facility: Continuous improvement

Family: Wife Sarah. Son lives in Long Beach California – also 3 grandchildren

Pets at home: None

When you retire, you plan to: Stay involved in conservation and continue to travel.