Professor Chris West, the current chief executive officer of the Royal Zoological Society of South Australia (RZSSA), has been appointed to the same role at Edinburgh Zoo, UK.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) - owner of Edinburgh Zoo - announced that Professor West will take up his new position later this year after six years at RZSSA.

Professor West will replace incumbent Edinburgh Zoo chief executive officer Hugh Roberts, who was appointed to the role in an interim capacity in April last year and is now retiring.

RZSS chair Manus Fullerton said: "The appointment comes at a very exciting time for the Society and for Edinburgh Zoo in particular, with the unprecedented growth in visitor numbers and international profile."

Details: www.edinburghzoo.org.uk

Image: Mike Pennington