San Antonio Zoo Applauds Efforts to Bring Back Geoffrey the Giraffe From the Brink of Extinction

SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As a center for animal care, education, conservation and research, San Antonio Zoo works daily to secure a future for wildlife. San Antonio Zoo would like to join forces with investors of Toys 'R' Us, the leaders in childhood imagination, on a partnership that will impact the future of giraffes for generations to come.

"We are thrilled both as kids at heart and conservationists that Toys 'R' Us investors are fighting to stop Geoffrey's extinction, just as accredited zoos and conservationists are doing for wild giraffes and countless other species around the world," said Tim Morrow, San Antonio Zoo's CEO and Executive Director. "Our hope is that a comeback by Toys 'R' Us and Geoffrey from the brink of extinction would motivate investors and management to help fund conservation efforts for their iconic representative species so that giraffes do not silently disappear from our planet.  Should the Toys 'R' Us and Geoffrey comeback be unsuccessful, our offer to provide Geoffrey with a job representing his species for the conservation of giraffes stands and we would proudly create a new legacy of education and conservation using the rights and likeness of Geoffrey for the good of our planet and the future generations of children that we borrow this earth from." 

On top of San Antonio Zoo's ongoing giraffe conservation support efforts, our recent campaign to secure the rights to Geoffrey and raise awareness for giraffe population declines has allowed us raise $2,125 for the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. The GoFundMe page remains open for donations.  In 2017, San Antonio Zoo led, funded, or participated in over 144 conservation projects across the globe as conservation has become a driving force of its vision and mission. 

As many companies around the globe use iconic, often endangered animals as mascots and in advertising, we think it appropriate that they also assist in the conservation of those species.  Giraffes are just one example of a species heading towards extinction. The planet is experiencing what many call the sixth mass extinction in history, much of it caused by habitat loss, poaching, and human population growth.  The zoo believes the world-renowned and loved brand of Toys 'R' Us and Geoffrey could help bring back the wild giraffe from the brink of extinction as well. 

GoFundMe link: www.gofundme.com/SAZooSavesGeoffrey

About San Antonio Zoo
San Antonio Zoo®, operated by San Antonio Zoological Society, is a non-profit organization committed to securing a future for wildlife. Through its passion and expertise in animal care, conservation, and education, the zoo's mission is to inspire its community to love, engage with, act for and protect animals and the places they live. The zoo welcomes more than a million visitors each year and is open year-round. San Antonio Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Zoological Association of America, and Humane Certified by American Humane.

Website          www.sazoo.org 
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Link to media: https://sanantoniozoo.box.com/s/ao94gg2fyjkfex67tr7wiczik44224bl

SOURCE San Antonio Zoo

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