A Day for Animal Sponsors at the Zoo

Posted: Aug. 6, 2009

How do zookeepers wash the elephants and feed the flamingos at the Milwaukee County Zoo? You could find out at the Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s (ZSM’s) Aug. 29 Animal Safari, sponsored by Welch’s and Pick ‘n Save. Animal sponsors can tour behind-the-scenes areas of the Zoo and learn how keepers care for animals. Sponsor an animal anytime today through Aug. 29, and you, too, will get a “back-stage” pass!

 

All zoogoers can enjoy animal talks by Zoo Pride volunteers and learn about the ZSM’s Sponsor an Animal program. Tours, however, are open to animal sponsors only. The featured animal to sponsor at the event is a Zoo fruit bat called Starbuck. (The Zoo is hosting the 8th Annual Great Lakes Bat Festival on Aug. 29; this event, sponsored in part by BATCONE ™, is free with regular Zoo admission.)

 

What: The Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s (ZSM’s) Animal Safari, sponsored by Welch’s and Pick ‘n Save

 

Where: Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Blue Mound Rd., Milwaukee

 

When: Aug. 29, 2009, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Behind-the-scenes Zoo tours run 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

Details: This event features behind-the-scenes Zoo tours for people who sponsor animals through the ZSM’s Sponsor an Animal program. You could see animal areas such as the Aquatic & Reptile Center and the elephant area. Animal sponsors can also enjoy a scavenger hunt and enter to win a tour of the Zoo’s flamingo building (usually off-limits to visitors).

 

Everyone, not just animal sponsors, can enjoy in-front-of-the-scenes animal talks at the event. (Regular Zoo admission applies at the event; Zoo Pass members get in free with their Zoo Pass card and photo ID.)

 

To sponsor an animal: Call Becky at (414) 258-2333, go to www.zoosociety.org, or sponsor an animal at the event on Aug. 29. The non-profit ZSM’s Sponsor an Animal program helps support all animals at the Zoo.

 

Featured animal to sponsor: Sponsor Starbuck, a straw-colored fruit bat, for $25 anytime today through Aug. 29 and receive admission to behind-the-scenes Zoo tours on Aug. 29. The sponsorship also includes a plush-toy bat; a certificate; information about bats; a year subscription to the ZSM’s Alive magazine and Wild Things newsletter; sponsor recognition on an “All in the Family” donor board for one year; and an Animal Sponsor decal. Regular sponsor packages start at $25 and do not include a plush toy. (After Aug. 29, the bat sponsorship package is $30 and includes an invitation to next year’s event.)