FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                              June 22, 2010 

CONTACTS:                        Candice Rennels (405) 425-0298, (405) 412-6172, cell or crennels@okczoo.com

            Tara Henson (405) 425-0219, (405) 919-9038, cell or thenson@okczoo.com

OKC ZOO TO HOST 17^th ANNUAL BOWLING FOR RHINOS

Roll a strike for rhino conservation as the Oklahoma City Zoo’s chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) hosts the 17^th annual Bowling for Rhinos! The event will be held Saturday, June 26 at Heritage Lanes Bowling Alley in Oklahoma City, 11917 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

Bowling times are available at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. The cost is $20 per person and includes three games of bowling, shoe rental, an event T-shirt, door prize opportunities and food.

Although a fun event, Bowling for Rhinos has a more important mission. Out of the 100 species of rhinos that formerly roamed the Earth, only five exist today, and all are considered endangered. Some of these species have fewer than 300 animals living, making extinction a real possibility unless conservation efforts can help turn the fate of these mammoth pachyderms. The Zoo's AAZK Chapter is one of more than 60 organizations in the United States and Canada that participates in Bowling for Rhinos annually. One hundred percent of the proceeds from Bowling for Rhino benefits rhino conservation projects in Asia and Africa.  With the help of the dedicated citizens of Oklahoma, the Zoo has raised $208,726 for rhino conservation through this event, which is more than any other organization! 

Pre-registration is recommended for Bowling for Rhinos. To register, contact Melissa at (405) 425-0257 or outreach@okczoo.com, pick up a form in the Zoo’s Guest Relations office or download the form at www.okczoo.com

We are wild about Conservation at the Zoo! Named the state’s #1 attraction and the third-most family friendly zoo in the nation, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is located in the heart of Oklahoma City’s Adventure District at the crossroads of I-35 and I-44. The Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with exhibit buildings closing at 4:45 p.m. Through September 4, the Zoo will remain open until 8 p.m. on Saturdays only, with exhibit buildings closing at 7:45 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for children ages three to 11 and seniors ages 65 and older. Children two and under are admitted free. For more information about the Zoo, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.com.

-okczoo-