Today is the 10th Anniversary of Endangered Species Day, and to highlight the growing importance of working on saving endangered species from extinction, Sunset Zoo is
“blacking out” public viewing to its cheetah exhibit. The big cats will be making a return to Manhattan’s Sunset Zoo on June 5, but for the next few weeks, community members will be asked to consider what life would be like if these animals truly vanished from our planet.
“Since last fall, our cheetah exhibit has been empty due to the passing of aging animals,” said Scott Shoemaker, Zoo Director. “While we’re excited for their return to our Zoo, imagine if cheetahs were to actually disappear…never to be seen again. For the next few weeks, we’re asking community members to pause and consider what extinction looks and feels like in the hope guests will be inspired to join us – and other accredited zoos and aquariums – in our efforts to save animals from extinction.”
Sunset Zoo’s campaign is part of a larger, national effort organized by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, of which Sunset Zoo is a member. Specifically, the 229-accredited members of the AZA are coming together in a variety of ways to help the public consider what it would be like to never see these incredible animals again, with many institutions “vanishing” endangered species from their guests onMay 15. This is to raise awareness of the efforts to save animals from extinction and to help launch AZA SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE).
For decades, AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums have been leaders in species survival, and are already working to restore more than 30 species to healthy wild populations, including the American bison, the California condor and a variety of aquatic species. Through SAFE, AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums will convene scientists and stakeholders globally to identify the factors threatening species, develop Conservation Action Plans, collect new resources and engage the public.
In 2015, SAFE will focus on 10 species and then add an additional 10 species each year for the next 10 years. The inaugural 10 species include: African penguin, Asian elephants, Black rhinoceros, cheetah, gorilla, sea turtles, vaquita, sharks and rays, Western pond turtle and Whooping Crane.
“AZA aquarium and zoo conservationists have identified more than 100 species facing the greatest threats and where accredited zoos and aquariums have unique conservation and science knowledge to contribute,” Jim Maddy, AZA President and CEO, said. “Today, we’re demonstrating just how profound the loss would be if we don’t take action now to protect wildlife. More importantly, we are also explaining to the public just what AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are doing to save animals from extinction.”
On Friday, June 5, Sunset Zoo guests will once again be able to connect with cheetahs during Zoo visits. Two new female cats, a sister-pair from fellow AZA-accredited facility Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas, now call the Little Apple home. Over the next few weeks – while public viewing is absent – animal care staff will begin acclimating the animals to their new space.
Guests are invited to join Sunset Zoo at 10 am on June 5 for the cheetah’s unveiling. The animals will also be on exhibit during Friends of Sunset Zoo’s Wild in the Wild fundraiser hosted on the evening ofJune 6. Limited tickets to this popular community event are on sale now at SunsetZoo.com/Wine.
Throughout the summer, guests will also be encouraged to join Sunset Zoo in supporting the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) – an international organization committed to addressing the threats wild cheetahs are facing. Over the last 100 years, 90% of the world’s wild cheetah population has been lost. Sunset Zoo guests can help cheetahs win the race against extinction by donating to CCF through one of three ways: a donation box at the Zoo’s exhibit, in the Zoo’s gift shop with a special cheetah plush donation package, or online at SunsetZoo.com/Cheetah.
For more information, visit SunsetZoo.com/Cheetah and follow the online conversation on May 15 via #savingspecies.
