Director of L.A. Zoo Fired After 12 Years

The director of the Los Angeles City Zoo was fired today for his inability to solve what his boss called “a series of internal problems” at the Griffith Park facility, City Hall officials announced.

Dr. Warren Thomas, director of the zoo since 1974, was dismissed this morning from the $73,000-a-year post after a disciplinary hearing Tuesday, said James E. Hadaway, general manager of the city’s Recreation and Parks Department.

Hadaway declined to discuss details of the action against Thomas “on advice of the city attorney’s office and because of possible litigation.”

Temporary Successor

Thomas, who was not available for comment, was temporarily replaced by zoo administrative officer Ralph Crane, pending a search for a permanent successor, department spokesman Al Goldfarb said.

Thomas was fired after a hearing held by Hadaway and two other department officials.

Though the nature of the department’s unhappiness with Thomas was not clear, he was the center of a controversy several years ago over the disappearance of more than 200 ivory artifacts entrusted to the zoo.

Suspended in 1983

Thomas was suspended without pay for five days in 1983 for “lack of management judgment in the acquisition, maintenance and security” of the ivory, which had been confiscated by police officers from a downtown art gallery and turned over to the zoo for safe keeping.

In announcing the firing of Thomas, Hadaway said that “the city appreciates that under Dr. Thomas’ direction the zoo has continued to provide quality service to the public.”

Hadaway said his department will make “a concerted effort to find a top-notch administrator to succeed Thomas and to continue the Los Angeles Zoo’s status as one of the nation’s leading zoos.”