PRESIDENT & CEO, DR. CLÉMENT LANTHIER, ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO RETIRE

January 30, 2024

30 JANUARY 2024 (Calgary, AB) – After more than two decades of leading one of the most-respected wildlife conservation charities in North America, Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Clément Lanthier, has announced his intention to retire at the end of 2024.

“It has been an exceptional honour and privilege to lead and work alongside the thousands of amazing staff, volunteers, researchers, educators, partners, donors and others who have dedicated their lives to wildlife conservation and inspired millions of people who experienced the zoo over the years”, said Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo President & CEO, Dr. Clément Lanthier.

“My decision to retire was made with heavy consideration. It’s the right decision, at the right time for the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, and for me and my family. I look forward to seeing the organization’s impact growing, the amazing talent flourishing and embracing endangered species stewardship in and ex-situ while continuing to provide fantastic and unique experiences for visitors to the zoo.”

“The Board of Directors would like to thank Dr. Lanthier for his tremendous service over the last 20 years and his contribution to the unprecedented growth of this organization,” said Barbara Conkie, Board Chair of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. “Carrying on Clément’s legacy, we will continue to make the world a wilder place.”

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo Board of Directors has formed an executive search committee to identify a CEO successor with assistance from an international executive search firm. Dr. Lanthier will continue to lead the organization until his successor is appointed.

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For more information contact:
Alison Archambault
Director, Brand & Engagement
403.232.7766 | 403.919.9482 | mediarelations@calgaryzoo.com

The Wilder Institute is a global authority on wildlife conservation, reintroducing threatened species to the wild and empowering communities to conserve their own natural resources to positively impact both nature and communities. The staff and volunteers of Wilder Institute are passionate about restoring balance to wildlife and human life, together. Using innovative science, our team is working to save threatened and endangered species and return them to the wild, where our planet needs them to be. We proudly own and operate the Archibald Biodiversity Centre, a one-of-a-kind conservation breeding and research facility. Our conservation expertise is in conservation breeding and community conservation, where we collaborate with community members to positively impact both nature and local communities. Learn more at WilderInstitute.org to join us in making the world a wilder place.