Paul Gosselin, CEO of the Zoo de Granby, announces his retirement
Press release
Granby, September 30, 2025
After twelve years at the helm of the Zoo de Granby, its CEO, Paul Gosselin, has announced that he will retire at the end of 2025. Following five years as a Board member, Mr. Gosselin officially took on the role of CEO on August 5, 2013.
Mr. Gosselin’s official departure is planned for the end of 2025, though it is expected that he will extend his mandate if necessary to ensure the appointment of his successor. The Board of Directors will immediately launch the recruitment process. “The Board wishes to acknowledge the immense contribution of Paul Gosselin to the development of the Zoo de Granby. We are also grateful for his support in ensuring a smooth transition, which he will accompany with the rigor and generosity for which he is well known. The Board will implement a rigorous recruitment process to ensure that the next CEO will carry forward our mission and contribute to the sustainability of our institution,” stated Simon Lapointe, Chair of the Board of Directors.
A Legacy of Transformative Projects
“Joining the Zoo de Granby was a tremendous source of pride for me. It gave me the opportunity to contribute to the influence of an inspiring institution whose reach extends far beyond my hometown,” said Mr. Gosselin. Recognized as a visionary and unifying leader, Paul Gosselin is distinguished by his rigor, creativity, and boundless curiosity for the animal world. His leadership style—both structured and deeply human—has left a lasting impression on colleagues, partners, and the broader community.
Under Paul Gosselin’s leadership, the Zoo de Granby experienced a period of significant expansion and modernization. Between 2014 and 2025, more than $33 million was invested in major projects. In 2018, the Ministère du Tourisme du Québec granted $18 million, launching a master plan of nearly $50 million extending to 2030.
Among the highlights of his tenure were:
- The opening of the Australian Trails (2014),
- The addition of waterslides at the Amazoo Water Park (2016),
- The inauguration of the Corporate and Events Pavilion (2019),
- The new indoor habitats for lions (2018), as well as for hippos and rhinos (2020–2021),
- The creation of the Zoo at Night mini-cabin village and the new habitat for dholes, an endangered species (2023).
Bold initiatives also achieved great success: the temporary dinosaur exhibition drew record crowds in 2017 and 2018, pushing summer attendance to nearly 800,000 visitors in its first year. That same year, the Zoo posted a record surplus of $7 million—the highest in the history of this non-profit organization founded in 1953. The Zoo in Winter attendance also exceeded 100,000 visitors for the first time in 2018. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CEO maintained course with discipline, courage, and leadership, enabling the Zoo to continue investing and fulfilling its mission.
Mr. Gosselin also played an active role in the broader zoological community. He served as Chair of CAZA (Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums) for two years and sat on the Ethics Committee of WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums).
Strengthening a Conservation Mission
A visionary leader, Paul Gosselin also positioned the Zoo de Granby as a key player in conservation beyond Canadian borders. In 2015, he gave the green light to the Zoo’s largest international conservation project, in Cameroon’s Campo Ma’an National Park, financed by an ambitious $200,000 campaign. This conservation orientation was further reinforced in 2024 with the launch of Mission Faune, a flagship initiative reflecting the Zoo’s determination to take impactful action for biodiversity protection. The final year of Mr. Gosselin’s mandate is expected to close with record investments in conservation projects led by the Zoo’s team of experts.
“I leave with a strong sense of accomplishment. I had the privilege of contributing to the advancement of a unique institution that is deeply meaningful to me, and I am confident it will continue to thrive and fulfill its mission to protect the animal world,” concluded Mr. Gosselin.
About the Zoo de Granby and Mission Faune
In addition to being one of Québec’s premier tourist attractions, the Zoo de Granby is a non-profit organization whose mission is to Taking Action to Preserve Wildlife. Since 1953, the Zoo has been dedicated to conservation through public education, in situ conservation actions, and the funding of scientific research programs. Whether for local or international wildlife, the Zoo’s Mission Faune initiative accelerates the implementation of concrete actions to protect biodiversity. It is a call to action and change—now, and for generations to come.
For information and interviews:
Julie Hébert
Content Specialist and Spokesperson
579-488-2169
jhebert@zoodegranby.com
