FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 22, 2020
CONTACT:
San Diego Zoo Global
Public Relations
619-685-3291
WEBSITE:
SanDiegoZoo.org
SDZSafariPark.org
NEWS RELEASE
San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park Host Weekend-long Australia Day Celebration
Presented by Koala Kare, Jan. 25-26 Event Supports Australian Wildlife Relief
As part of San Diego Zoo Global’s ongoing effort to raise awareness of the crisis facing wildlife in Australia due to catastrophic fires, the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park are inviting guests to a weekend-long Australia Day Celebration event—Saturday, Jan. 25 and Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. The event marks the Australian national holiday and honors the international nonprofit conservation organization’s nearly 100-year relationship working collaboratively with Australian colleagues to help protect their wildlife.
During the two-day Australia Day Celebration Presented by Koala Kare, guests at both the Zoo and Safari Park can enjoy special entertainment and activities, find out more about unique Australian species from wildlife care specialists and get an opportunity to help “adopt” a koala.
At the San Diego Zoo, visitors can learn more about koalas in their habitat near Queenslander House in the Zoo’s Conrad Prebys Australian Outback. San Diego Zoo Rock Radio 201.8 will feature music from Australian artists and trivia giveaways, favorite Zoo Characters, Kirli Kangaroo and Sydney and Matilda Koala, will be on hand for meet and greets, while the Zoo’s Dr. Zoolittle will present his “Dr. Zoolittle Explores Australia” show.
Just a short drive north at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, guests can enjoy an interactive chat with Robert the Zebra, purchase Australian foods, including meat pies, lamingtons, fairy bread, jackfruit wraps, and split pea soup with a buster biscuit, and enjoy live performances from a didgeridoo player and a special performance on Sunday, January 26th, by Baiwa Kazil—a youth performing arts ensemble from the Pryce Centre for Culture and Arts.
“The Australia Day Celebration is more than just an opportunity for our guests to experience a fun day at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park,” said Shawn Dixon, chief operating officer, San Diego Zoo Global. “This weekend’s event is another way to continue shining a light on the devastation that has decimated wild spaces in Australia, while providing the public a chance to continue helping our effort to save affected wildlife.”
The Australia Day Celebration is part of San Diego Zoo Global’s overall campaign to support the recovery of koalas, platypuses and other species in Australia after mega-fires raced through the region over the last few weeks. In the Blue Mountains World Heritage Region—home to the most genetically diverse population of koalas in the world—efforts are now underway to rescue and safeguard the species. Fires in this region alone have already devastated millions of acres of habitat.
“The bushfires in Australia are an ecological catastrophe, and continue to have a tremendous impact on the koala population,” said Matt Saiedfar, business unit director for Koala Kare. “We are happy to partner with a world-leading organization that is dedicated to the survival of koalas in Australia, and make a financial contribution to help recover the species and save other animals in crisis.”
With the monies raised over the past 2 weeks, including the generous contribution from Koala Kare, drinkers and large tanks of water are being driven into the Blue Mountains region and carried into key areas of habitat where wildlife is likely to be able to find shelter, in surviving trees and bushes. Because the drinkers will need to be regularly refilled and cleaned, this effort to help animals survive the immediate crisis will likely require researchers and volunteers to continue to bring water into the area for several months.
For more information on Australia Day Celebration activities, visit SanDiegoZoo.org or SDZSafariPark.org. To learn more about San Diego Zoo Global’s Australian wildlife relief efforts, and how to help, visit EndExtinction.org/Help.
ABOUT KOALA KARE
Koala Kare Products, a Division of Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc. is the leading provider of commercial Baby Changing Stations and based in Centennial, CO. Koala's familiar "Parent and Child" brandmark is a comfort to families and a promise of thoughtful accommodation wherever it appears. Please visit KoalaBear.com to learn more about the company.
ABOUT SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL
As an international nonprofit organization, San Diego Zoo Global works to fight extinction through conservation efforts for plants and animals worldwide. With a history of leadership in species recovery and animal care, San Diego Zoo Global works with partners in science-based field programs on six continents, and maintains sanctuaries and public education facilities in many places. Inspiring a passion for nature is critical to saving species, and San Diego Zoo Global’s outreach efforts share the wonder of wildlife with millions of people every year. Current major conservation initiatives include: fighting wildlife trafficking and the impacts of climate change on wildlife species; broad-spectrum species and habitat protection efforts in Kenya, in Peru, and on islands worldwide; preventing extinction in our own backyard; and expanding efforts to bank critical genetic resources and apply them to the conservation of critically endangered species. To learn more, visit SanDiegoZooGlobal.org or connect with us on Facebook.
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