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Community Corner

Rhino Tales: Five Species, Five Stories at Franklin Park Zoo

Don’t
miss an engaging day focused on rhinoceros conservation and research at
Franklin Park Zoo on Saturday, July 12, 2014. Bill Konstant of the
International Rhino Foundation will present a talk at 1:00 p.m. titled Rhino Tales: Five Species, Five Stories inside
the zoo’s Meeting Barn. Throughout his talk, he will share the stories of five
rhino calves to illustrate the threats and future for each species. In
addition, children of all ages can help protect these incredible creatures by
participating in Bowling for Rhinos. For a $1 donation, with all of the
proceeds going towards rhino conservation, guests can flaunt their lawn bowling
skills for a great cause!

There are currently five species
and 11 subspecies of rhinos surviving on earth. All five species are threatened
to some degree, with the Javan, Sumatran and black rhinos all being critically
endangered. Learn more during the lively talk and have some fun bowling for
rhinos!

Each year the national
American Association of Zoo Keepers sponsors a fundraising bowl-a-thon called
Bowling for Rhinos. Funds support the Lewa Wildlife
Conservancy in Kenya, Ujung Kulon National Park in Java,
Indonesia, Bukit Barisan
Selatan National
Park and Way Kambas
in Sumatra. Bowling for Rhinos is a popular
event with teams formed within and outside of the zookeeper community for
friendly competition and solidarity in raising awareness and contributions for
rhino conservation. We hope to bring
that energy to Franklin Park Zoo on July 12!

While
at the zoo, be sure to also check out the 6D Rhino Rescue Ride. Riders are
fully immersed in the action through 3D film, motion simulator seats, and
atmospheric special effects for a heart-pounding 6D experience that drives home
an important conservation message. Rhino Rescue lasts four minutes and
accommodates 12 people. Tickets cost $5.

Bill Konstant is a
graduate of Cornell University with a lifelong career in
wildlife conservation. Since 1981, he has held positions with the World Wildlife
Fund – US, Wildlife Preservation
Trust International and Conservation International, and has helped establish
endangered species conservation programs at the Philadelphia Zoo and Houston
Zoo.

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