Press Release ::: El Paso Zoo :::

Go Wild and help protect habitat
March 07, 2006

Habitat for Wildlife Weekend, March 18-19

Conservation Action Stations
Zoo visitors are encouraged to bring their used cell phones and PDAs to help protect habitat for endangered Asian elephants in Sumatra
Safari-Rama Family Show at 1:30
Sea lion Programs at 10:45am and 2:45pm. Elephant Programs at Noon.

Staff and volunteers at the El Paso Zoo will host the fourth annual Habitat for Wildlife Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, March 18-19 from 11am to 3pm. Habitat for Wildlife Weekend at the Zoo focuses on the importance of protecting habitats around the world. To help encourage families to get involved with wildlife conservation, a variety of activities are planned including a family game show called Safari-Rama at 1:30pm and a series of conservation stations where individuals can learn more about how the zoo is helping to protect habitats of animals from around the world.

During the event and throughout the year the El Paso Zoo is asking cell phone users to answer the call and turn in their used cell phones to help raise funds for Zoo efforts to help save endangered Asian elephants. Over the past four years the Zoo in cooperation with the El Paso Zoological Society and the World Wildlife Fund has been educating people about the endangered status of Asian elephants in Sumatra. The Zoo receives $1.00 for each phone collected with 100% of the money collected going to support protecting wildlife habitat at the Tesso Nilo National Park in Sumatra. Any portable cellular or PCS phone is accepted, excluding bag phones or vehicle-installed models. The public may donate their used wireless phones during the event or by simply stopping at the Zoo during regular business hours and dropping them off at the front gate. Used cell phones can also be mailed to: El Paso Zoo, 4001 E. Paisano, El Paso, Texas 79905.

It has been estimated that in the next 30 years over 70 percent of the earth's land surface will be affected by the impacts of man. Many biologists predict that human activities, including urban sprawl, deforestation and over fishing, will have significant impact on the survival of many species inhabiting the planet. Over twenty species of animals at the El Paso Zoo are endangered. Unless governments take urgent action to protect habitats, many animals could become extinct in our lifetimes.

For more information on the Zoo visit http://www.elpasozoo.org.