Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo Welcomes Dr. Kyle Burks as New President & CEO

17 January 2025 (Calgary, AB) – Dr. Kyle Burks was announced as the new President & CEO of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo earlier today.

“Dr. Burks is a passionate advocate of conservation and brings with him a strong desire to evolve the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo into world-class status,” said Board Chair Jennifer Koury. “His career uniquely combines animal management and wildlife conservation with cutting-edge business principles.”

Dr. Burks has more than 20 years of broad-based management, wildlife conservation and animal care experience.  He has held executive and senior leadership portfolios at Sacramento Zoo, Denver Zoo and The Walt Disney Company, most recently working as the Chief Operating Officer of Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans. Dr. Burks earned his doctorate and master’s degree from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Jamie Dorgan has served as the interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer since Dr. Clément Lanthier’s retirement in June 2024.

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

For more than 30 years, the internationally accredited Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has been a leading authority in wildlife conservation, reintroducing threatened species to the wild and empowering communities to conserve natural resources to positively impact both the environment and local inhabitants.

While our work is global, our roots run deep in the Albertan conservation community. Sitting on 125 acres in the heart of the city, we operate one of the oldest charities in Alberta, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo – a not-for-profit charitable wildlife conservation organization that works to fight the extinction of plants and animals worldwide. In addition to the zoo, we proudly operate the Archibald Biodiversity Centre (ABC), Canada’s largest conservation breeding and research facility. Nestled on 330 acres in the Albertan prairies, the ABC is a stronghold for biodiversity and a temporary home to some of Canada’s most iconic species-at-risk.

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is passionate about inspiring and educating generations of visitors about the importance of biodiversity and conservation. Together, we will continue to be a force of nature for making the world a wilder place. Learn more at WilderInstitute.org and CalgaryZoo.com.