Photograph courtesy San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
A Missouri native is coming home to lead the Saint Louis Zoo.
The zoo announced Tuesday that Dwight Scott will be its next Dana Brown President and CEO, taking over for the retiring Dr. Jeffrey Bonner. Born and raised in Chillicothe, Scott has served as the San Diego Zoo’s executive director for the past eight years. He’ll begin his new role in his home state on January 3, 2022.
“Growing up in Missouri, I was inspired by visits to the Saint Louis Zoo, “Scott said in a statement. “I look forward to taking the Saint Louis Zoo to new heights just as Dr. Bonner, Charlie Hoessle, Marlin Perkins, George Vierheller and all the past leaders of this world-class organization have done over the years.”
Scott began his career in 1994 as an animal keeper at the Kansas City Zoological Gardens before joining the animal management team that helped design Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In 2000, he went to the Oklahoma City Zoological Park and Botanical Garden, climbing the ranks from assistant curator of mammals to director of animal management. After a two-year stint as assistant director of the Tulsa Zoo, Scott returned to Oklahoma City in 2007 to serve as its executive director and CEO. He was hired by the world-class San Diego Zoo in 2013.
Returning to Missouri also means a homecoming for his wife, Kathy, a native St. Louisan. The couple has two daughters.
“Dwight has been an incredible member of our family for eight years, and while our hearts are heavy, we couldn’t be more excited for him as he embarks on this next step in his career,” Paul Baribault, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “When I started at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, I was told that there was one dream job that Dwight might ever leave San Diego Zoo for, and this is it. We are so happy for him to return to his roots, where he can be near family, and lead the zoo that he grew up with.”
In replacing Bonner, who announced his retirement in March after nearly two decades at the Saint Louis Zoo, Scott will oversee operations during what’s expected to be a busy decade for the zoo. One of Scott's top priorities will be opening WildCare Park, a 425-acre expansion in North County that’s expected to be ready for guests in 2026.
“The Saint Louis Zoo has and always will lead the way in conserving animals and their habitats through animal management, research, recreation and educational programs,” Scott said. “I can’t wait to get started.”
