ASHEBORO, N.C. (ACME NEWS) — State officials announced Monday that Dr. Mark Penning, a wildlife veterinarian and former Disney executive, will be the new director of the North Carolina Zoo.
Penning recently retired as vice president of animals, science, and environment for DisneyExperiences, where he oversaw animal care, conservation and environmental initiatives at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and other parks worldwide, including a behind-the-scenes operation that prepares more than 10,000 pounds of food daily for thousands of animals.
“His leadership, experience, and vision will enable him to take the North Carolina Zoo, theworld’s largest natural habitat zoo, to the next level,” Gov. Josh Stein said in a statement. “We are thrilled to have Dr. Penning joining us at DNCR and the North Carolina Zoo,” saidDNCR Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. “He is a world leader in animal care and conservationand truly understands and supports the Zoo’s mission.”
Penning fills a vacancy created by the death of longtime Director and CEO Pat Simmons, who passed away July 14, 2025, after a nearly five-year battle with cancer. Diane Villa, the zoo’s deputy director and chief communications officer, has served as interim director since Simmons’ death while DNCR conducted a national search.
DNCR requested someone who was not going to apply for the Director position to serve as the Interim Director,” Villa said in an email earlier this year. With Penning’s appointment, she says she expects to return to her role as deputy director and chief communications officer.
A veterinarian by training with a special interest in wildlife, Penning previously served as CEO of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research in Durban, South Africa. He has also served as president of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and as a board member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. He currently sits on the board of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International and serves as a trustee of Wild Welfare.
At Disney, Penning championed a science-based approach to animal care that emphasizedtraining animals to voluntarily participate in their own veterinary exams and fostering conservation partnerships around the world — priorities that align closely with the NorthCarolina Zoo’s own long-standing focus on animal training and global conservation efforts.
“I am very excited to be moving to the beautiful state of North Carolina and joining the fabulous team at the North Carolina Zoo,” Penning said. “They have created a world-class destination where families can connect with nature and with each other and experiencethe joy and wonder of being outdoors. It is an honor and a privilege to join the team.”
Penning takes the helm this summer as the zoo prepares to open its 12.5-acre Asia expansion later in 2026, its first major addition since 1994. An Australia region is fully funded and scheduled to open in 2029.
Check out this video from Disney Parks featuring Dr Penning.
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