The Calgary Zoo's president, Dr. Clement Lanthier, is keeping a brave face amidst recent controversy and criticism over the death of a South American capybara.

"The zoo has been the target of a great deal of criticism, some of it deserved, but much of it not," said Dr. Lanthier at a press conference Saturday.

The capybara died December 5th in what is described as an unfortunate incident involving human error.

After an investigation, an employee of the zoo was reassigned and suspended for two days.

It is the latest in a number of animal deaths at the zoo over the past few years, including dozens of stingrays and a baby elephant.

Dr. Lanthier says he's aware that public opinion might be swaying resulting from the number of tragedies at the zoo.

"We have never taken the support of our community for granted and do not intend to now."

The zoo announced Saturday that is calling for an external review of all of its practices and policies.

The objectives are to get an assessment of its current standards plus recommendations to improve operations, to maintain public support, and to gain recognition for the work of staff and volunteers who've been the target of much of the criticism.

One of the zoo's critics, R.J. Bailot with Zoocheck Canada, responded by telling CTV News, "Zoocheck feels it is a joke, it will be a biased report."

Bailot says he believes the review would be biased because it will be conducted by two organizations that accredit the Calgary Zoo, the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) and its U.S. counterpart, AZA.

"We're asking for an independent review that's outside of arms length from the Calgary Zoo," added Bailot. 

However, Bill Peters, the Executive Director of CAZA says the review will be impartial and fair.

"We will choose the best people to do this evaluation for us and do it in a professional and objective manner. It will be a rigorous review that will be carried out," said Peters. 

The zoo has been marred with animal deaths in recent years. 41 stingrays died when they were deprived of oxygen. A rare goat hanged itself on a toy in its enclosure and two baby elephants born at the zoo have also died. Because of these deaths, Bailot says Zoocheck is not making any apologies for the criticism the organization has directed at the zoo.

"The only time we're making comments is when we get a press release that another animal dies at the zoo, so if they stop having animals die in their care, then we'll stop commenting," said Bailot. 

Peters responded by saying, "I'm always amazed at the people who don't have any detailed knowledge of the circumstances or the facility, nor the procedure, who rush to judgment on the basis of a bit of information that's been reported to the media."

Peters says the zoo is taking the right steps with commissioning the review.

As for the zoo, Dr. Lanthier says he hopes this latest endeavor will preserve the zoo's reputation.

"I think we are open, proactive, and we're not hiding anything."