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Geoffrey Bourne Lecture with Dr. Peter Daszak

President of EcoHealth Alliance will speak on connections between emerging diseases, wildlife conservation and global public health.

Zoo Atlanta is honored to welcome Dr. Peter Daszak, President of EcoHealth Alliance, as the guest speaker at the 11th Geoffrey Bourne Lecture on Thursday, October 4, 2018. Dr. Daszak will present “Emerging Diseases, Wildlife Conservation and Global Public Health.”

EcoHealth Alliance is a U.S.-based organization that conducts research and outreach programs on global health, conservation and international development. Dr. Daszak is a world leader in investigating the origins and impact of emerging diseases facing biodiversity and humankind. He confirmed the first case of a species extinction due to disease, and his research has been instrumental in identifying and predicting the impact of emerging diseases around the globe.

“Zoo Atlanta is very pleased to welcome Dr. Daszak as the newest speaker to present at the Geoffrey Bourne Lecture Series,” said Raymond B. King, President and CEO. “The Geoffrey Bourne Lecture has a long and distinguished legacy of bringing some of the scientific community’s top minds to Atlanta to share insights and connections between humans, wildlife and conservation.”

The Geoffrey Bourne Lecture Series is a scholarly series that brings esteemed scientists, educators and conservationists to Atlanta. The Geoffrey Bourne Fund was established in 1999 to honor the late Dr. Bourne, the founding President of the Atlanta Zoological Society (AZS). The AZS was formed in 1970 to provide support for what was then known as the Atlanta Zoo. Dr. Bourne, who was at the time affiliated with Emory University’s Yerkes Primate Center, brought not only a love of the Zoo to his new role, but also a professional and scientific background which was instrumental in shaping the Zoo’s future mission. Under his leadership, the AZS implemented changes at the Zoo and worked to recruit other Atlantans to the cause while working to focus the Zoo’s mission on education and conservation.

The mission of the Geoffrey Bourne Fund is to recognize Dr. Bourne and his contributions to the development of Zoo Atlanta and the field of primatology – a present-day area of leadership for the Zoo – and to endow and implement the lecture series.

The lecture will take place at 7 p.m. in the Zoo’s Coca-Cola World Studio in the Conservation Action Resource Center (ARC). This opportunity is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register online and learn more about Dr. Daszak’s work here.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Rachel Davis
Director of Communications
rdavis@zooatlanta.org
404.624.2812 – office
404.309.2238 – cell

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

About Zoo Atlanta
Viewed as one of the finest zoological institutions in the U.S. and a proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Zoo Atlanta has a mission to inspire value and preservation of wildlife through a unique mix of education and outdoor family experiences. From well-known native wildlife to critically endangered species on the brink of extinction, the Zoo offers memorable close encounters with more than 1,000 animals from around the world. Zoo highlights include giant pandas, including Ya Lun and Xi Lun, a set of twins born to Lun Lun on September 3, 2016; 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. Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience, featuring more than 70 species in a 111,000 square-foot complex, is the world’s first LEED Gold-certified reptile and amphibian exhibit. The Zoo’s newest experience, Treetop Trail presented by Kaiser Permanente, opened in March 2017. Up-close-and-personal animal experiences include behind-the-scenes Wild Encounters with African elephants, African lions, Aldabra giant tortoises, giant pandas and lemurs. Zoo Atlanta is open year-round with the exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Keeper talks, interactive wildlife presentations, education programs and special events run year-round. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.

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