Little Rock Zoo: Little Rock Zoo Director Mike Blakely to Retire in October

Little Rock Zoo Executive Director Mike Blakely said Tuesday that he will retire next month after 17 years leading the state's only accredited zoo.Blakely was named director in September 1999. His last day is set for Oct. 14."Mike helped build the zoo into the world-class, accredited institution it is today," City Manager Bruce Moore said in a news release. "His emphasis on education and conservation has set the standard and brought us exciting exhibits such as the Arkansas Heritage Farm. While we are sad to see him go, we are thankful for his many years of dedication to the city and most importantly to the zoo family."Moore plans to outline a replacement plan for Blakely next month, according to the zoo.Blakely worked for the Oklahoma City Zoo, Kansas City Zoo in Missouri and Wildlife Safari in Oregon before coming to Little Rock."I started at the Portland Zoo in 1967 and have been working at zoos ever since," Blakely said. "It was just a summer job that grew into what it is today. I worked my way up from keeper to curator to director."