ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY MATTERS MORE THAN EVER

Double your conservation contribution May 19-21; learn more about the 2023 Quarters for Conservation projects

ATLANTA – May 16, 2023 – Zoo Atlanta observes Endangered Species Day on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in a very important anniversary year for action for wildlife. 2023 marks the 50^th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. In celebration, over a period of three days, Zoo Atlanta will double the conservation contribution generated by general admission.

Each general admission already automatically generates a deposit of 25 cents to the Zoo’s Conservation Fund through the Quarters for Conservation initiative. In honor of the 50^th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, from Friday, May 19 though Sunday, May 21, 2023, an additional 25 cents of each admission will go to the Conservation Fund, for a total conservation contribution of 50 cents.

In tandem with its upcoming Endangered Species Day event, Zoo Atlanta is pleased to announce the three projects that will benefit from Quarters for Conservation in 2023:

 Chinchilla Conservation Project, Chile

• Chinchillas were once on the brink of extinction due to commercial hunting for their coats. Although this practice has since been outlawed, their populations are now declining as a result of mining, illegal hunting, and climate change.
•  Quarters for Conservation support from Zoo Atlanta will enable field research in priority conservation areas to establish long-term monitoring of chinchilla colonies. The project was championed by Ambassador Animals Keeper McKenzie Bender.

North American Songbird SAFE, North America

• Billions of birds are impacted by human activities each year. The most significant causes of population declines include habitat loss, predation by cats, and window collisions.
•  Quarters for Conservation funding from Zoo Atlanta will support the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) North American Songbird SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) Program’s efforts to increase awareness of the threats facing North American songbirds through projects, events, and publications. The project was championed by Curator of Birds Lauren Wilson.

Sloth Conservation Project, Costa Rica

• Sloths and other Costa Rican wildlife are losing their habitats to development and illegal logging. Hundreds of sloths are electrocuted each year while attempting to use power lines to travel among fragmented forest patches.
• Quarters for Conservation funding from Zoo Atlanta will support the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sloths impacted by deforestation and electrocution and efforts to insulate transformers and power lines. The project was championed by Small Primate Keeper Pam Miller.

Quarters for Conservation supports three new projects in each annual cycle. Projects are proposed, vetted, and championed by Zoo Atlanta team members. The level of funding for each project is tiered based on vote totals from guests. Guests may vote for their project of choice by scanning the QR codes located on the Quarters for Conservation signs on Zoo grounds.

Endangered Species Day activities will include family activities, games, challenges, and special Keeper Talks from the Quarters for Conservation champions. Activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and are free for Zoo Atlanta Members; free with general admission.

In addition to Quarters for Conservation, conservation programs and partnerships supported by Zoo Atlanta are at work now for species and their habitats around the world. Support from Zoo Atlanta has influenced conservation projects in more than 20 countries. The Zoo also helps to fund other organizations working in the field through its Mabel Dorn Reeder Conservation Endowment Fund to make a meaningful impact on reversing species decline. Learn more at zooatlanta.org/conservation.

(photo courtesy of Chinchilla Conservation Project)

MEDIA CONTACT:
Rachel Davis
Director of Communications
404.624.2812 – office
rdavis@zooatlanta.org

Gavin Johnson
Public Relations and Communications Specialist
404.624.5980 – office
gjohnson@zooatlanta.org

About Zoo Atlanta
A proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the gold standard for animal care and welfare, Zoo Atlanta has a mission to save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences. The Zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals representing more than 200 species from around the world, many of them endangered or critically endangered. Highlights include giant pandas, including Ya Lun and Xi Lun, the only giant panda twins in the U.S.; one of North America’s largest zoological populations of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Recent transformations include the African Savanna, featuring new and expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, bontebok, warthogs, meerkats and rhinos; Savanna Hall, a state-of-the-art special event destination in the newly restored historic former home of the Atlanta Cyclorama; and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Plaza. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.