Virginia Zoo Celebrates Earth Day on Saturday, April 19

Zoo hopes to raise awareness by encouraging visitors
to take environmental action

Norfolk , VA – The Virginia Zoo is celebrating Earth Day on Saturday, April 19 by encouraging visitors to take action in order to make a difference in our planet. Visitors will receive a “green pledge” card, asking them to commitment to at least one environmentally friendly action. Suggestions include changing to energy efficient light bulbs or carrying groceries in reusable tote bags instead of plastic. The first 100 families who turn in their cards at the Zoo's Gift Shop will receive a free “Animal Planet” tote bag to help them get started.

"At the Zoo, we see Earth Day as a rich opportunity to raise awareness of the impact we all make on the world – from consumption of palm oil products that contribute to the endangerment of orangutans to global warming that is threatening our frogs with extinction,” explains Greg Bockheim, executive director.

"People visit zoos to get a glimpse of the magic of nature and wildlife. At the Virginia Zoo, our goal is show our guests a good time, give them a greater appreciation for our planet's amazing animals and natural resources, and also to inspire them to become advocates for environmental responsibility.”

Throughout the day, announcements will be made over the Zoo's public address system to help raise awareness about environmental issues affecting animals. For example:

•  Amphibians worldwide are threatened with extinction due habitat loss and a fungus that is attributed to global warming. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums ( AZA ) has named 2008 “The Year of the Frog” to raise awareness of their plight.

•  Coltan is a mineral used to make superconductor chips for cell phones and is mined primarily in the African tropical rain forest that is home to endangered Western Lowland gorillas. With cell phone usage continuing to grow, the gorillas are losing their habitat.

•  Habitat destruction, including emerging palm oil plantations, is destroying the rain forest habitat of the Bornean orangutans. Palm oil is the most widely produced edible vegetable oil and is found in 10% of the processed foods we buy such as margarine, cookies, crackers, cereal and popcorn.

  For more information about Earth Day at the Zoo, call (757) 441-2374.