Sun Bear Day and Endangered Species Day

Two events highlight awareness and action this week.

WHAT:
The week of May 10 brings two important animal awareness opportunities at Zoo Atlanta: one bringing attention to a threatened bear species, and the other an annual event observed nationwide on the third Friday in May.

Sun Bear Day presented by Teddy Grahams
Zoo Atlanta spotlights the smallest of the existing eight bear species at Sun Bear Day presented by Teddy Grahams on Thursday, May 16. Activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include a special Sun Bear Keeper Talk highlighting sun bears Xander and Sabah; a sun-bear themed Animal Tales Storybook Reading; a puzzle-solving activity; and a chance to purchase a limited-edition Sun Bear Day button benefiting Bear Trust International.

Native to southeast Asia and the islands of Indonesia and Malaysia, sun bears are among the least-recognized and least-studied of the world’s bears. Their threats include habitat loss as a result of deforestation for unsustainable palm oil production and logging.

Processed from the fruit of the African oil palm tree and harvested worldwide in warm and temperate climates, palm oil is one of the planet’s most commonplace commodities. The oil is found in over half of all household products, from candies, foods and drinks to toothpaste, shampoo, cosmetics and pet food. Zoo Atlanta is a member of the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil™ (RSPO) and is a vocal advocate for encouraging shopping habits that support the use of only sustainably produced palm oil. Learn more about palm oil here.

Sun Bear Day activities are free with general admission; free for Zoo Atlanta Members and children under 3.

Endangered Species Day
Zoo Atlanta joins a national awareness event at Endangered Species Day on Friday, May 17. More than 60 of the species in the Zoo’s care are classified as critically endangered, endangered or threatened. Special Keeper Talks and educational activities around the Zoo will focus on conservation action and the simple lifestyle habits that encourage preservation of natural resources and promote positive change for wildlife. Activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, critically endangered species represented at Zoo Atlanta include but are not limited to the African slender-snouted crocodile; Bali mynah; black-and-white-ruffed lemur; blue-crowned laughingthrush; blue-throated macaw; bog turtle; Bornean orangutan; Burmese star tortoise; Jamaican iguana; Lake Titicaca frog; radiated tortoise; Sumatran orangutan; Sumatran tiger; and western lowland gorilla.

Endangered species represented at Zoo Atlanta include but are not limited to the crowned lemur; drill; giant otter; golden lion tamarin; Louisiana pine snake; mountain coqui; ringtailed lemur; and sun conure.

One species at Zoo Atlanta, the Panamanian golden frog, is believed to be extinct in the wild and now exists only in zoos and at the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center in Panama. In addition to maintaining a reproducing colony of Panamanian golden frogs, Zoo Atlanta devotes staff resources and expertise to projects in the field in Panama and has supported Project Golden Frog, with an eventual goal of releasing golden frogs back into their native forests.

Endangered Species Day activities are free with general admission; free for Zoo Atlanta Members and children under 3.

Visit zooatlanta.org to learn more about both events and to plan a visit. Learn more about conservation programs and partnerships here or download a copy of the 2018 conservation report Beyond the Zoo.

WHEN:                   
Sun Bear Day: Thursday, May 16, 2019, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Endangered Species Day: Friday, May 17, 2019, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE:                 
Zoo Atlanta 
800 Cherokee Avenue, S.E.
Atlanta, GA  30315

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

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

ABOUT:               
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 Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience, home to more than 70 species in the world’s first LEED Gold-certified reptile and amphibian complex. Experiences include behind-the-scenes Wild Encounters with 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.

Coming in summer 2019: the all-new African Savanna, featuring new and expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, warthogs and meerkats. The African Savanna is part of the Zoo’s landmark Grand New View transformation. Future elements include Savanna Hall, a state-of-the-art special event destination, and a new grand entry plaza, opening in early 2020. For more on the Zoo’s mission and conservation programs and partnerships, visit zooatlanta.org/conservation or download the 2018 conservation report, Beyond the Zoo.