Topeka (WIBW) - Topeka's City Manager is calling for a top-to-bottom review of the Topeka Zoo in light of more reports highlighting concerns over deaths of animals at the facility.

In a statement Thursday afternoon, Norton Bonaparte said he would ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine to either directly assist with the review or direct the city to organizations that could provide assistance.

Bonaparte says the goal of the review is to make sure the zoo is practicing best practices in animal care.

"I take the two recent USDA reports that are critical of the Topeka Zoo’s veterinary care and record keeping – and therefore the overall animal care – very seriously," Bonaparte said. "The Zoo’s primary goal is the well-being of the animals. There are obviously past situations at the Zoo that are not acceptable and we must do everything we can to ensure that such incidents don’t happen again and that superior animal care is given."

A USDA report from Sept. 28th cites the zoo for non-compliance in the cases of seven animal deaths. The report mentions lax veterinary care and inadequate record keeping.

That report comes on the heels of an August report that highlighted nine issues of non-compliance by the Topeka Zoo, including circumstances surrounding the deaths of a black leopard and a hippo. At the time, zoo director Mike Coker told 13 News the zoo was taking immediate action to relieve the issues.

Bonaparte says the review process will be transparent.

Zoo Director Mike Coker says he supports Bonaparte's directive.

“It is a great opportunity to review our past practices and development new ones to improve our operation," Coker said. "I look forward to doing what is needed to assist in this review process.”

In addition, Bonaparte announced Thursday that, due to a recent vacancy, the city has requested KSU veterinary medicine to provide veterinary care, something that has been done in the past.