Press Release- need in 6 hours today

profileangnicole22
ZooMiamiSafariParkSummerB2021.docx

Zoo Miami to create Zoo Miami Safari Park in joint venture with San Diego Zoo

Announcement to be released July 9, 2021:

Zoo Miami and the San Diego Zoo Global announce plans to create a safari park and wildlife sanctuary. Facts about Zoo Miami Safari Park:

· Modeled on San Diego Zoo Safari Park

· Wildlife sanctuary, home to more than 2,000 animals representing more than 200 species.

· 800-acre reserve on undeveloped land now part of Zoo Miami

· Expeditions and safaris by tram, caravan truck, cart, Segway, zip line and hot-air balloon

· Hands-on safari experience where herds of animals roam natural habitats

· Open 365 days a year

· Facilities for catered weddings, parties and other group events

· Summer camps, conservation corps and school trip opportunities.

· Mission statement: “San Diego Zoo Global is committed to saving species worldwide by uniting our expertise in animal care and conservation science with our dedication to inspiring passion for nature.”

· San Diego Zoo Global will provide technical advice on addition of species and migration of Zoo Miami animals to the new safari park.

· Staffers from San Diego will assist in planning and construction, but will not manage park.

· Zoo Miami will announce which animals will be moved from zoo to safari park at a later date.

· Plans call for construction to begin in mid-2019, with first phase opening the following year. Complete construction is expected to last four years.

· Costs are being covered through gifts of donors to be announced at dedication and fundraising events of Zoological Society of Florida.

QUOTES:

“Africa will come to life in Miami at Zoo Miami Safari Park,” said Eric Stephens, Zoo Miami director. “Visitors will encounter many of the animals now in our zoo in an open setting that closely matches their native environment. We will have more experiences such as the

African Tram Safari that are part of a guided tour to see rhinos, giraffes, antelope, gazelles and more as they roam the huge field exhibits.”

“Zoo Miami Safari Park represents the next phase in the growth of Zoo Miami into a world-class zoo,” said Zoological Society of Florida chair Ana Viega Milton. “We appreciate the immediate response of our donors. Their gifts will make the park a reality.”

“We are enthused to be working with one of the top zoos in the United States,” said Douglas G. Myers, executive director of San Diego Zoo Global. “We foresee many ways we can create in Miami the learning experiences and conservation successes of our safari park.”

(OVER)

ABOUT ZOO MIAMI

Discover what makes Zoo Miami a unique experience for visitors of all ages. Rated one of the top ten zoos in the U.S. by Tripadvisor.com, Zoo Miami houses more than 3,000 animals in natural habitats and provides visitors the feel of a safari. Enjoy animals like okapis, giant river otters, elephants and rhinos in large open air exhibits; a giraffe feeding station; camel rides; an Indian rhino encounter; Australian parrot feeding; meet and greets with mascots, the Zoo Squad; tram tours; family cycles; water play areas; a monorail and large exhibits like Amazon & Beyond.

Zoo Miami is located at 12400 SW 152 Street, Miami, FL 33177. General zoo admission is $17.95 per adult and $13.95 per child (3-12), plus tax. Children under two and zoo members enter free; parking is free. Zoo Miami’s weekday hours are 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and weekend and holiday hours are 9:30 am – 5:30 pm; ticket booths close at 4 pm. For more information, please visit http://www.zoomiami.org or call (305) 251-0400.

ABOUT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF FLORIDA

The Zoological Society of Florida, founded in 1956, is the non-profit support organization for Zoo Miami. Today it is one of the largest membership organizations in South Florida, with approximately 63,000 members. Its activities and programs include fundraising, marketing, volunteer services, educational programs, special events and member programming. Its mission is to encourage an appreciation for the world’s wildlife and to help conserve it for future generations. For more information, please visit http://www.zsf.org or call (305) 255-5551.

ABOUT SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL

San Diego Zoo Global is a not-for-profit organization that operates the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. It was founded on October 2, 1916, by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D, and has a 12-member Board of Trustees headed by Richard Gulley; Douglas G. Myers is our executive director.

San Diego Zoo Global is the largest zoological membership association in the world, with more than 250,000 member households and 130,000 child memberships representing more than a half-million people. Members enjoy free admission to the Zoo and the Safari Park, a subscription to the magazine ZOONOOZ, and other benefits. Both Zoo and Park are open every day of the year.

ABOUT SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK

The Safari Park is an expansive wildlife sanctuary that is home to more than 2,600 animals representing more than 300 species. Its renowned botanical collection represents 3,500 species and 1.5 million specimens. Over half of the Park’s 1,800 acres have been set aside as protected native species habitat. It is located 30 miles north of downtown San Diego in the San Pasqual Valley near Escondido, California. For more information, visit http://sdzsafaripark.org/.