"From the first day I walked in the door, he asked me if I wanted his job, and I said I did," Yerian said Wednesday. When difficult issues erupted, Linley would ask again and again, and Yerian always gave him the same answer.

This week, Yerian got the job.

Torrey Johnson, Florida Park Service bureau chief for District 2, announced Monday that Yerian, known as the park's Santa for animals, is the new Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park manager.

He said he doesn't think becoming park manager will take any joy out of working with park employees, animals or visitors. "It's all a fun job," he said.

Yerian, 47, said he looks forward to continuing to move the park forward.

During Linley's 14-year tenure, the park was renovated extensively, including new wildlife walk areas around the old bird, big cat and bear enclosures. Wire cages were replaced with modern enclosures.

The third phase of that project is continuing and will be a top priority for Yerian. The park's new above-ground manatee pool is also coming on line, and Yerian said he looks forward to more changes in the coming years, including a new park entrance at the light on W Yulee Drive.

"I expect nothing but positive things," he said.

He vows to work closely with employees and volunteers to make improvements but doesn't predict any big changes soon.

"I'm not going to rock their world," he said. "I have big ambitions for the park, but also I know the realities."

Previously, Yerian was general manager of Flamingo Gardens Botanical Gardens and Everglades Sanctuary in Davie. He worked his way up to that job after first serving as director of animal care. He was also a general curator and supervisor at the old Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven and had previously owned and operated a pet store in Massillon, Ohio.

A member of the American Zoological Association, the American Association of Zoo Keepers and the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta, Yerian has 20 years of experience working with animals, as well as management, supervisory, community relations, marketing and budget management experience.

Yerian also gained fame at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park in 1999 after climbing into the park's enclosed alligator area to save an errant otter, another resident at the park. The incident was captured on home video and widely televised.