Longtime Pittsburgh zoo leader Dr. Barbara Baker announces retirement

Jun. 24—Dr. Barbara Baker, chief executive of the Pittsburgh zoo for more than three decades, plans to retire from the post as soon as a successor is secured, zoo leadership said Thursday.

Baker called her 31 years at the zoo "an honor and privilege."

"I have been blessed to lead such an incredible organization for more than three decades," she said in a statement. "While I eagerly anticipate the next great adventure in my life, I find comfort in knowing that the zoo is in an excellent position and it's an ideal time to begin the process of welcoming a new generation of innovative zoo leadership."

The Zoological Society of Pittsburgh's search committee has already begun an international search for the next president and CEO of the 123-year-old zoo. Officials said though Baker's retirement will begin once new leadership is in place, she will be named President Emeritus and remain a consultant through the end of 2022.

Zoological Society board chair Donna Hudson called Baker "a groundbreaker from the outset," noting she was the youngest person to be named an executive in the zoo industry and she was one of just a few women executives at the time.

"Over the past 30 years, Dr. Baker took over a city zoo, created a contemporary design and elevated the Pittsburgh Zoo to stay on pace with the evolution of best practices in the zoo industry," Hudson said.

She said the zoo hopes to have hired a new president and chief executive by the end of 2021.

The zoo, a private nonprofit since 1994, marked its 123rd birthday on June 14.

Founded as a zoological garden with a $125,000 donation, the Highland Park zoo now has a 77-acre footprint and is home to more than 8,000 animals across 600 species. Over the last 30 years, the zoo has seen a slew of new exhibits introduced, including PPG Aquarium.

Megan Guza is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Megan at 412-380-8519, mguza@triblive.com or via Twitter .