Hard-fought bidding on exceptional auction items, up-close animal encounters, dining al fresco, and live entertainment all contributed to a wild success of raising $1.47 million at Woodland Park Zoo’s 36th Annual Jungle Party. The zoo also announced astonishingly great news that an anonymous donor has given an additional $250,000 towards the new Asian Tropical Forest initiative, bringing the overall impact of Jungle Party to $1.75 million.
Seattleites and philanthropists Sally and David Wright served as co-chairs of this year’s Jungle Party, themed “Bali to Borneo,” to celebrate the incredible wildlife species native to Indonesia and Malaysia living at the zoo. Nearly 1,000 civic-minded business and community leaders joined together on the North Meadow to raise funds for exemplary animal care, interactive education programs and wildlife conservation projects in the Pacific Northwest and around the world.
A portion of the funds raised this year will support Jungle Party’s Fund-Our-Future Kids and Care: Share the Wonder initiative. This support will help expand the zoo’s early childhood learning programs through Zoomazium enrichment programs, immersive naturalistic exhibits, new animal additions and community activities that bring young explorers closer to nature. By providing these experiences, the zoo hopes to inspire a desire among youth to protect wildlife and its habitats through futuregenerations.
The Asian Tropical Forest initiative is a $21 million project that will revamp 60-year-old exhibits into modern, naturalistic homes for endangered Malayan tigers, sloth bears and small-clawed otters. This state-of-the-art exhibit complex is one of eight initiatives in the zoo’s More Wonder More Wild campaign. To follow the progress of these efforts, visit www.morewonder.org.
“The generosity of our community is absolutely remarkable. Jungle Party patrons have made this year’s fundraiser yet another success for the zoo,” said Dr. Deborah Jensen, WPZ President and CEO. “Thanks to the inspiring and spirited leadership of Sally and David Wright, we can continue to shape the next generation of conservation stewards, provide outstanding care for our animals, and inspire millions of people to be our partners in wildlife conservation in the Northwest and around the world.”
Jungle Party guests were invited to indulge in zoo tours, live entertainment, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by local specialty chefs, dinner by Lisa Dupar Catering, a specialty drink bar by El Gaucho, and live and silent auctions featuring nearly 450 items.
The live auction excited good-natured bidding, raising more than $416,000. Notable winnings included a day with the zoo’s veterinarian sold three times at $10,000 each; a Georgia Gerber original sculpture sold for $26,000; one week in a luxurious villa overlooking Mexico’s Manzanillo Bay sold for $14,000.
Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting international standards for zoos in animal care, conservation and education programs. Conservation, education and excellent animal care are at the core of the zoo’s mission. The zoo partners with 36 field conservation projects in the Pacific Northwest and around the world to help support the critical work necessary to preserve wildlife and habitat. Visit www.zoo.org for more information.
