He came home 11 years ago to run Fresno Chaffee Zoo. Here’s what’s next for Scott Barton

For the first time in 11 years, Fresno Chaffee Zoo will have someone new calling the shots.

Chief Executive Officer Scott Barton, who grew up going to the Fresno zoo, announced his intention to retire effective this fall. He made the call Tuesday, according to a release from the zoo.

The 113-year-old zoo in Roeding Park has seen unprecedented growth during Barton’s tenure with notable projects including Sea Lion Cove and African Adventure and the Zoorasic Park that opened Feb. 29.

Barton also led the zoo through the second passing of Measure Z in 2014 and the design and planning of the zoo’s future exhibits Kingdoms of Asia and African River.

“I am very proud of our accomplishments over the past 11 years and I’m always impressed by the remarkable support for Fresno Chaffee Zoo from our community,” Barton says in a release. “Our team’s mission has always been to provide the Central Valley with a sustainable, world-class zoo experience. I’m confident the next generation of leadership will continue this vision.”

Mayor Lee Brand praised Barton’s leadership. “Scott has truly transformed Fresno Chaffee Zoo into one of California’s leading zoos and a first-class experience,” Brand says in the release. “A strong leader with a vibrant vision, Scott is deeply committed to the welfare of animals in his charge and he’s leaving big shoes to fill.”

The zoo says Barton will continue in his position through the summer to aid in the search for his successor and the transition to new leadership.

Native son

Barton grew up going to the Fresno zoo, according to a Bee story when he was hired as CEO. He even got his first zoo job here, when he was hired by longtime director Paul Chaffee, the zoo’s namesake. Barton was a zookeeper from 1980-84.

His zoo career took him around the country. He was No. 2 administrator at Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Ariz., when he was hired to replace Lewis Greene, who left to become the assistant director for animal care at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio.