Embattled Austin Zoo leader Patti Clark stepped down as president of the nonprofit's board of directors but will remain its executive director, the zoo announced Monday in an email to supporters.

Clark and the zoo have faced outrage on social media since an American-Statesman story published in January detailed zookeepers' claims of mismanagement and animal mistreatment. The zoo's email Monday said Clark will no longer be a voting board member. It also announced four new members — Bernie Tejada, Richard Heinichen, Leslie Starnes and Sherri Wicker — expanding the group to seven.

Thirty current and former zoo staff members have spoken to the Statesman, nearly all of them detailing similar accounts of unorthodox animal care techniques, an unwillingness to euthanize suffering animals and acts of retaliation against keepers who shared concerns.

BACKGROUND: Turmoil at the Austin Zoo: Documenting a Zookeepers' Revolt

Six zookeepers sent a 54-page letter to the zoo's board of directors last summer describing allegations of animal mistreatment and listing grievances against leadership. The keepers said the zoo lacks checks and balances and asked that the same person not be allowed to serve as both zoo director and board president.

The zoo board changes appear to address that concern. The new board elected Tejada as interim chairman until a newly formed governance committee reviews the board's structure.

"We appreciate Patti's leadership and service on the board," Tejada said in the email. "After seeking out the advice of experts in nonprofit governance and following thoughtful discussions, the Board and Patti agreed that, moving forward, it is in the best interest of the Zoo to separate the Board and the Zoo's management."

Tejada called himself "proud to be associated with the Zoo and its leadership team," saying the zoo is "taking great strides toward our goal of being an exemplary animal rescue and educational resource."

Former zookeepers and board members called the move a step in the right direction but said the new board members include friends of Clark's and zoo vendors.

"This is exactly what we were saying (recently): If she steps down, it is going to look good on paper, but she has created a board that will answer to her," said Tammy Greenblum, a recent board member who resigned amid disagreements about how to respond to the zookeepers' letter.

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Former zookeeper Casi Cortez expressed disappointment that the three board members who backed Clark over the keepers last summer — Rick King, Carl Alberty and Tracie Monroe — remain in place.

Zookeepers said Clark has retaliated against those she suspected of being involved with the letter. Most recently, three keepers were fired after fielding questions, or refusing to answer questions, regarding the Statesman story. King said all three were fired for valid reasons.

Cortez said she appreciates that some changes are being made but wants to see more. Critics of the zoo's management plan to protest there Sunday and March 21.

"I am grateful that we're moving in the right direction, but it's important to note that I don't think this would have happened without community support putting pressure on the zoo," Cortez said. "We're still pushing for the original requests in the petition: making sure we have an independent board, following through with a euthanasia policy."