Barton has worked at Reid Park for past five years
Reid Park Zoo's Scott Barton will run the Chaffee Zoo in Fresno, Calif.
Reid Park Zoo’s general curator will leave Tucson next month to become director of the Chaffee Zoo in Fresno, Calif.
Scott Barton, 51, has been the zoo’s general curator for five years. He said he’s excited about the opportunity but sad to leave Tucson.
“Tucson’s an amazing community, and this zoo is a great resource for the community,” he said. “I will miss it very much.”
Barton will work with other zoo employees to “make sure everything is taken care of” before his departure at the beginning of May, he said.
Susan Basford, the zoo’s administrator, said that the search for Barton’s replacement will begin as soon as the city approves it.
“This position is essential and we hope to find someone that can bring as much experience, creativity and energy as Scott did,” Basford said. “We are happy for him but sad to see him go.”
Barton grew up in Fresno and graduated from Fresno State University in 1982.
His first job in a zoo was at the Roeding Park Zoo in Fresno from 1980 to 1984.