The Conservation Legacy Award Dinner Protecting Gentle Giants: The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium was buzzing with excitement on Thursday night in anticipation of the first Conservation Legacy Award Dinner. More than 150 guests attended to bring awareness to the partnership between the Pittsburgh Zoo and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin, where Thomas Hildebrandt (recipient of the first Conservation Legacy Award) has been working on Project Frozen Dumbo.
The Pittsburgh Zoo’s President and CEO Barbara Baker, who also was honored at the event, said, “The diminishing elephant populations, both in zoos and in the wild, is becoming more of an epidemic than anyone could have imagined. These magnificent animals could be gone in the next 10-20 years. How tragic would it be to lose the most recognized animal in the world forever?”
The program works to introduce new genetics into the aging elephant populations of Asia, Africa, North America and Europe. Organizers hope that by honoring individuals working toward conservation efforts that others will be inspired to follow their lead.
#SEEN: Chairman of the zoo’s board of directors Rick Kalson, John Miclot, Cathy Rinchetti, Howard and Rosemary Loevner and board member Ed Goncz.
First Published: June 1, 2015, 4:00 a.m.
