MULTI MEDIA NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE            
March 26, 2020

CONTACT:
San Diego Zoo Global
Public Relations
619-685-3291

WEBSITE:
SanDiegoZoo.org

MULTIMEDIA NEWS RELEASE

San Diego Zoo Global Launches #WereHereTogether Campaign Connecting the World’s Species to Fans Around the Globe

Explore Fun, Free and Educational Online Curriculum, Wildlife Cams, Global Academy Courses, YouTube Channels and More

With the launch of #WereHereTogether, parents, educators and fans from around the world can stay connected to their favorite animals and species through a wealth of free online content, entertainment and educational tools provided by San Diego Zoo Global.

“During these uncertain times, our thoughts are with our community around the world who have always shown us tremendous love and support as we carry out our mission of saving the world’s species,” said Paul A. Baribault, president/CEO of San Diego Zoo Global. “With new challenges come new opportunities, and now more than ever, we want to share the joy of our stories direct from the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park with fans everywhere.”

Check in on your favorite animal friends and enjoy daily updates from our San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park Live Wildlife Cams. From their habitat to yours, these livestreaming cams provide unmatched views as wildlife explore, eat, swing, roll, pounce, scratch and play throughout their day. Stay on the lookout for Butterfly Jungle Wildlife Cam, launching March 30, alongside existing channels.

In a single week, the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park have seen a 1,000% increase on average in online webcam viewership, with the Polar Bear Cam and Penguin Cam currently leading with the most visits.

“It’s truly heartwarming that we can be a source of comfort and entertainment to the public during these trying times,” said Ted Molter, chief marketing officer of San Diego Zoo Global. “Our live wildlife cams alone are reaching audiences around the world—from the United States to the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, India, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Germany and China.”

In addition to the live cams, #WereHereTogether provides a wealth of supplemental curriculum on wildlife, plants and animals, and habitats, with engaging content for students K–12, animal care professionals, educators, parents and fans alike, including:
•    K–5 Students: Youngsters can jump right into the world of wildlife with San Diego Zoo Kids video stories, hands-on activities and games, with links to live wildlife cams and information about how to be a superhero to help save species. You can also tune into San Diego Zoo Kids YouTube Channel any time of day for dedicated content that is also livestreamed at children's hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses around the world, or visit San Diego Zoo and Safari Park channels. ZOONOOZ Online also includes fascinating stories about wildlife and ongoing conservation projects around the world, with new features posted each week.
•    Middle School and High School Students: Dig into science on the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research Science Blog, with engaging posts that cover everything from what happens inside the pathology lab of Disease Investigations to information on interning with the alala education program in Hawaii. Or, become a “citizen scientist” and contribute valuable data to conservation researchers by helping count, identify and track burrowing owls, giraffes and other wildlife online, at San Diego Zoo Global’s Wildwatch Burrowing Owl and Wildwatch Kenya. Participants can help make a difference, viewing and classifying wildlife images from remote trail cameras.

Anyone with a smartphone or computer can bring wildlife into their homes today, and engage using the hashtag #WereHereTogether. Visit SanDiegoZoo.org for more information, and to stay updated on additional offerings from San Diego Zoo Global.

About San Diego Zoo Global 
Bringing species back from the brink of extinction is the goal of San Diego Zoo Global. As a leader in conservation, the work of San Diego Zoo Global includes on-site wildlife conservation efforts (representing both plants and animals) at the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, as well as international field programs on six continents. The work of these entities is made accessible to over 1 billion people annually, reaching 150 countries via social media, our websites and the San Diego Zoo Kids network, in children’s hospitals in 12 countries. The work of San Diego Zoo Global is made possible with support from our incredible donors committed to saving species from the brink of extinction.

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