National Aviary in Pittsburgh fires its director

PITTSBURGH — The National Aviary in Pittsburgh has fired its director in a disagreement over his management style which officials have criticized without offering details.

The Associated Press could not immediately reach 63-year-old Patrick Mangus Jr. for comment Friday.

Mangus wasn't at the bird sanctuary when his firing was announced Thursday and aviary board president Tony Bridge wouldn't explain it beyond saying, "We had differing opinions about how the organization should be managed."

Mangus was hired in 2007 as chief operating officer and became executive director in 2009. Since then, he's overseen most of a $23 million expansion begun by his predecessor, Linda Dickerson.

The expansion includes an interactive theater, a roof deck where outdoor bird shows are held, a new penguin exhibit and other renovations.

The aviary has 600 birds from more than 200 species.

WPXI