Zoo director leaving at end of January

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The director of the Roger Williams Park Zoo is stepping down at the end of January.

Jack Mulvena says he's proud of the work he has done at the city-owned zoo in Providence over the last two decades. But he also says it's time to let "new energy and vision" take the zoo forward.

Since 1993, Mulvena has served as executive director of the Rhode Island Zoological Society, which manages the zoo. He was named zoo director in 2002.

During his tenure, the zoo raised close to $30 million for new exhibits and capital improvements. He led a $10 million expansion of the indoor and outdoor exhibits for elephants and giraffes and expanded the animal collection. The zoo also more than doubled its membership to more than 16,000.