Allan Zeman to step down as chairman of Ocean Park

Allan Zeman, the flamboyant entrepreneur dubbed "Hong Kong's mouse killer", will step down as Ocean Park chairman at the end of this month.

He will be succeeded by his deputy, Leo Kung Lin-cheng, the government said yesterday, announcing the end of Zeman's 11-year stint that has seen the number of visitors to the theme park more than double and a deficit turn into a multimillion-dollar surplus.

Zeman, who earned his nickname for holding off the challenge to the government-owned attraction from Hong Kong Disneyland, told the South China Morning Post yesterday that he wanted to stay on as an adviser.

"On the one hand, I am sad because it has been a long time that I am in this job," said Zeman, who was travelling on the mainland. "On the other hand, I am happy if the board approves my advisory role and I will still have my foot in the door." The board is due to meet next week.

Zeman, who down the years has dressed as everything from a pumpkin to a giant jellyfish, a Chinese emperor, and even a female dancer in high heels and fishnet stockings to promote Ocean Park, wants to finish what he started - an expansion plan including a water park and a hotel.