U.S. Zoos Make Major Donation to China's Giant Pandas

$165,000 to Support Post-Earthquake Recovery Efforts

Silver Spring, MD (Vocus/PRWEB ) June 27, 2008 -- The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), in cooperation with The Giant Panda Conservation Foundation (GPCF), today abutting the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Zhou Wenzhong, in announcement a $165,000 donation to the China Wildlife Conservation Association to abutment post-earthquake panda conservation.

Accredited zoos are capital to the attention of the behemothic panda We are beholden for this abetment and for the able attention affiliation with zoos in the United States. I am appreciative that AZA associates rose to the break to advice our all-embracing ally recover We will abide to abutment China in this important mission. The Smithsonian's National Zoo is committed to the accretion of the behemothic panda We abutment our committed colleagues in China, and allure the accessible to accomplish an online donation at www.nationalzoo.si.edu . "Accredited zoos are capital to the attention of the behemothic panda," said Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong. "We are beholden for this abetment and for the able attention affiliation with zoos in the United States."

The collective fundraising accomplishment of AZA and GPCF will abetment about-face efforts at panda attention accessories in Wolong and Chenghdu afterwards the adverse accoutrement of the earthquakes in Sichuan Province area they are located. These accessories accomplished cogent accident and the agents has met with cogent hardship, acute burning abetment to abutment their adeptness to affliction for the awful endangered behemothic panda population.

"I am appreciative that AZA associates rose to the break to advice our all-embracing ally recover," said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. "We will abide to abutment China in this important mission."

AZA-accredited institutions authoritative cogent contributions include: Smithsonian's National Zoological Park, Virginia Zoo, San Diego Zoo, Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Zoo Atlanta, Memphis Zoo, Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens, Zoo New England, and Audubon Zoo.

Through research, education, and attention efforts, AZA-accredited zoos accept played a above role in the Giant Panda Species Survival Plan (SSP). The SSP is a affairs that develops citizenry administration and attention affairs for imperiled breed in the affliction of accepted zoos and aquariums.

"The Smithsonian's National Zoo is committed to the accretion of the behemothic panda," said National Zoo Director John Berry. "We abutment our committed colleagues in China, and allure the accessible to accomplish an online donation at www.nationalzoo.si.edu ."

Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a nonprofit 501c(3) alignment committed to the advance of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. Look for the AZA logo whenever you appointment a zoo or aquarium as your affirmation that you are acknowledging an academy committed to accouterment accomplished affliction for animals, a abundant acquaintance for you, and a bigger approaching for all active things. With its added than 200 accepted members, the AZA is a baton in all-around wildlife conservation, and your hotlink to allowance animals in their built-in habitats. For added information, amuse appointment www.aza.org.

Contact:
Jackie Marks, AZA, 301 562 0777 ext. 236
Madame Xin Wei, Chinese Embassy, 202 328 2577
Pamela Baker-Masson, National Zoo, 202 633 3084