The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance announced Tuesday its president and CEO will step down after five years of serving the organization.

Paul Baribault took the helm of SDZWA in late 2019 and navigated the 109-year-old institution through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under Baribault’s leadership, SDZWA developed a comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy, aligning its efforts across eight conservation hubs on six continents. His tenure also saw record attendance at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, with nearly six million visitors annually.

“We are extremely grateful for Paul’s leadership and contributions to the institution and SDZWA’s advancement in wildlife conservation and as a world-renowned experience for guests of all ages,” said Steven Simpson, chair of the SDZWA Board of Trustees.

One of Baribault’s most notable achievements was overseeing the return of giant pandas to San Diego in 2024 — the first such arrival in the United States in 21 years. Additionally, he spearheaded the Safari Park’s Denny Sanford Elephant Valley, set to open in early 2026.

“I joined SDZWA in 2019 with the intention of helping to transform this storied institution and positioning it to be a leader in wildlife experiences, conservation leadership and the pioneering of biodiversity efforts in the 21st century,” Baribault said.

“Having led a remarkable team to put the organization on a new and exciting path, and having had the opportunity to see it succeed in remarkable ways, the time feels right for me to pass the baton and pursue my next adventure,” he said. “I remain in awe of what we did together, and I look forward to supporting this transition to ensure the organization’s ongoing success.”

The Board will launch a nationwide search for a new president and CEO, with Chief Operating Officer Shawn Dixon serving as interim president and CEO.

The Port of San Diego is jumping on the parking fee increase bandwagon.

The agency that operates 34 miles of coastline around San Diego Bay said they will increase parking meter rates at some locations in two rounds, with the first wave kicking off on April 2 and the second on July 1. It’s the first rate increase since 2017, according to the Port.

Rates will jump anywhere from $1 to $2.50 per hour at some locations.

Port officials say the changes will help boost turnover during the busy summer months, will ensure people spend less time looking for parking and will allow more people to enjoy the waterfront.

The following locations will be impacted:

• Spanish Landing Park
  • 219 meters increase from $1.00 to $2.00 on April 2 and increase to $2.50 on July 1.
• Embarcadero Marina Parks North and South
  • Increases from $1.75 to $2.50 on April 2. No planned increase in July.
• Shelter Island
  • 283 parking meters increase from $1.25 to $2.25 on April 2 and increase to $2.50 on July 1.
  • More than 1,200 parking spaces will remain free on Shelter Island and at Shoreline Park, the Port said

The Port — a self-funded public agency that maintains bayfront property in Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego — said parking fees will help pay for maintenance costs of 22 public parks, restaurants and shops around the bay and fund their Harbor Police department.

Of the 9,400 parking spaces managed by the ports, about 30%, 2,900, are free, including those at Cesar Chavez Park in San Diego, Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Coronado Ferry Landing Park, Pepper Park in National City, and Shoreline Park on Shelter Island, among others, the agency said.

The Port’s move to increase parking rates follows a similar push by city of San Diego leaders to raise parking fees in order to address some of a $250 million budget shortfall. The rate increase will affect about 4,500 meters in the city of San Diego.

San Diego State’s basketball season has ended and what figures to be an eventful offseason is here.

The college basketball transfer portal opened up on Monday, clearing the way for hundreds of players across the country to submit their names while looking for a new home. The portal had previously been open for graduate transfers and for players who had dealt with a coach hiring/firing.

As it stands in late March, here’s a look at who is slated to suit up for the Aztecs in 2025-26.

RETURNERS:

F Pharoah Compton (sophomore)

G BJ Davis (junior)

G Reese Waters (redshirt senior)

G Miles Byrd (redshirt junior)

G Taj DeGourville (sophomore)

F Miles Heide (junior)

F Thokbor Majak (redshirt freshman)

F Demarshay Johnson Jr. (redshirt senior)

G Ray Gonzales (sophomore)

G Kai Lee (sophomore)

San Diego State lost six of their past seven scorers last offseason either to graduation or the transfer portal. Reese Waters, the top returnee, injured his foot before the season and wound up missing the entirety of this past season. Waters was San Diego State’s second-leading scorer in 2023-24, averaging 10 points and four rebounds per game while shooting 34 percent from three-point range. He previously stated in February his intentions to return to the Aztecs for his final season of eligibility in 2025-26.

Despite transfers and graduation this season, San Diego State may still return five of their top eight scorers from this year’s team that advanced to the NCAA tournament for the fifth straight season in addition to Reese Waters. Forward Thokbor Majak is a wild card, similar to Magoon Gwath a year ago. The seven-foot Majak, originally from Sudan, played his high school basketball at Dream City Christian in Arizona. He enrolled with the Aztecs this past summer and spent this season redshirting. Forward Demarshay Johnson Jr. has played in 40 games over his three seasons at San Diego State and has one year of eligibility remaining. Johnson Jr. was one of six players honored at senior night against Nevada, giving pause to his return next season.

DEPARTURES:

F Magoon Gwath (transfer portal)

G Nick Boyd (transfer portal)

F Jared Coleman-Jones (graduation)

G Wayne McKinney (graduation)

G Kimo Ferrari (graduation)

G Ryan Schwarz (graduation)

G Desai Lopez (graduation)

G Cam Lawin (transfer portal)

Boyd and Gwath were San Diego State’s first and third-leading scorers this season. The duo combined to start 57 games for the Aztecs in what would be their lone season on the court. Boyd spent four seasons at Florida Atlantic prior to coming to San Diego State one year ago and will now look elsewhere for his final season of collegiate ball.

Gwath was an unranked recruit who San Diego State offered in the summer of 2023. They got him enrolled shortly after and helped develop him during his redshirt season in 2023-24. One of the breakout stars nationally this season, Gwath started 26 games, missing five games after a hyperextended knee took him out against Utah State. Gwath earned Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors this season, finishing second nationally in block percentage. He became the second Aztec to enter the portal this offseason and will likely be among the most sought-after players nationally, likely securing an NIL deal near seven figures. Gwath is also a candidate to test the NBA Draft waters.

San Diego State was active in the transfer portal last offseason as they’ve long been since before the portal started. The Aztecs secured four players last year, all of which will be gone from next year’s roster. In addition to Boyd, forward Jared Coleman-Jones started 27 games while spending his final collegiate season with the Aztecs. Reserve guards Wayne McKinney and Kimo Ferrari, both former high school standouts in San Diego, spent their final seasons of eligibility with the Aztecs and were among the crowd favorites. Both players chose the Aztecs despite having played more minutes at their previous stops.

Cam Lawin was the third entry into the transfer portal. A walk-on guard from Chicago, Lawin played in 15 games over the past two seasons.

NEWCOMERS:

F Tae Simmons (freshman)

San Diego State’s lone high school commit comes south from Heritage Christian High School in Northridge. Simmons is a six-foot-seven forward who fits the San Diego State mold. A four-star recruit ranked, No. 124 nationally by 247Sports, Simmons averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds per game as a junior.

Simmons won’t be San Diego State’s lone addition to the roster next season, though barring a late surprise, he’ll be the only one coming from the high school ranks.

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