News & Information

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 13, 2010

Contact:  Sheelah McCaughan, 253-404-3636 or sheelah.mccaughan@pdza.org

                   Whitney DalBalcon, 253-404-3637 or whitney.dalbalcon@pdza.org

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium to close July 16 for 20^th annual fundraising gala

Tacoma, Wash. ��" Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium will be closed all day Friday, July 16 to prepare for its annual fundraising gala, Zoobilee. Nearly 2,000 supporters, 60 Tacoma-area establishments and  six bands will descend upon the zoo that evening.

Funds raised at Zoobilee support the zoo’s education and conservation programs. The fundraising goal for this year’s event, now in its 20^th year, exceeds $500,000.

This year, Zoo Society staff are continuing to make significant changes to the event in order to make the affair more environmentally-friendly. Changes include locally-grown food, compostable supplies, and a partnership with LeMay, Inc. master recyclers to sort and recycle trash.

“We are continuing to work hard to model the environmental practices we promote,” said Zoo Society executive director Caryl Zenker. “Our efforts last year were so successful that out of 2,000 lbs. of waste created by Zoobilee, only 140 lbs. made it to the landfill. We hope to do even better this year.”

The black-tie fundraiser runs from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., and the zoo will resume its daily summer operating schedule of 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 17.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.zoobilee.org or call 253-404-3806.

For more information on Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, visit www.pdza.org or call 253-591-5337.

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, the Northwest’s only combined zoo & aquarium, is located in Tacoma’s beautiful Point Defiance Park, 5400 North Pearl Street. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium promotes responsible stewardship of the world’s resources through education, conservation, research and recreational opportunities. The Zoo, a division of Metro Parks Tacoma, is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA).