Little Rock Zoo: Susan Altrui Named Director of the Little Rock Zoo

Susan Altrui will take the helm as the Little Rock Zoo's new director, the city announced Monday.Altrui has worked for the zoo since 2005 and will replace Mike Blakely, who retired in October.Altrui started at the zoo as director of marketing and development and executive director of the Arkansas Zoological Foundation. Altrui was named assistant director of the zoo in July 2015."My goal as zoo director is to enhance our conservation education efforts and to provide an engaging experience for every guest every time they walk through our gate," Altrui said in a news release. "Updating and renovating the zoo is essential, and we have already begun the planning process for the next major animal exhibit. We are also revamping education efforts to provide exciting, engaging programming that helps inspire who you want to be and who you can become. We will help cultivate the next generation of biologists, wildlife scientists and conservationists."The zoo is part of the AZA Species Survival Plan aimed at saving threatened/endangered species through cooperative breeding, a program its new director seeks to expand."The zoo is a place that nurtures our passion for animals and encourages respect for all living things," she said. "It's a place where learning lives."Under Altrui's guidance, the zoo has raised money for the Laura P. Nichols Penguin Pointe exhibit, the Laura P. Nichols Cheetah Outpost, Diamond Express Train and the Arkansas Heritage Farm exhibit, which opened in April.She was also project manager for its new master plan and strategic plan; worked to keep the zoo accredited; and developed fundraisers that include Zoo Brew and the annual Wild Wines event.Altrui has a master's degree of applied studies in communication from Colorado State University and a bachelor's degree in the same area from Arkansas State University.