you helped save animals
An Award-Winning Conservation Partner
In recognition of its work in the
protection and study of gorillas
in Africa, the Dian Fossey Gorilla
Fund was awarded the prestigious
International Conservation Award
from the Association of Zoos and
Aquariums (AZA). Announced
at the annual AZA conference
in Indianapolis on Sept. 12, the
award recognizes exceptional
efforts in habitat preservation,
species restoration and support of
biodiversity in the wild.
The Fossey Fund is now in its
50th year of gorilla protection, with
more than 150 staff in Rwanda
and eastern Congo, working to
save the critically endangered
mountain gorilla and Grauer’s
gorilla. The organization’s approach
to conservation focuses on daily
gorilla protection, scientific research,
training future conservation leaders
in Africa along with local children
and adults through extensive
education programs, and helping
impoverished communities that live
near the gorillas.
“We are so proud to have reached
this milestone of 50 years—it is
a significant achievement for any
organization. However, this is not
a role that we could have played
without numerous partnerships,
supporters from around the
world, and the help of other
organizations,” said Dr. Tara Stoinski,
Fossey Fund President and CEO/
Chief Scientific Officer. “The Fossey
Fund works in close conjunction
with the national park authorities of
Rwanda and Congo, with scientists
and other experts from around
the world, and with an incredible
team of supporters, including
significant input from the zoological
community,” said Stoinski.
The zoos included in the AZA
award were: Zoo Atlanta, Columbus
Zoo, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo,
Dallas Zoo, Disney’s Animal
Kingdom,
Indianapolis
Zoo, Oklahoma
City Zoo,
Birmingham
Zoo, San Diego
Zoo and your
Louisville Zoo.
Did you
know that Dian
Fossey s pent
a number of
years right here
in Louisville,
Kentucky?
Former
Louisville
Dian Fossey meets a friend during observations. Photo
Zoo Director
Courtesy of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
Dr. William
Foster met
Dr. Fossey in
1981. He eventually went on to
serve as chairman of the Fossey
Fund Board while he was director
at your Louisville Zoo. He often
attended meetings in Rwanda to
strategize how to best help wild
gorillas. The Fossey Fund greatly
influenced the design of our award-
winning Gorilla Forest exhibit. As
you explore the bamboo lined
pathways and sanctuaries of Gorilla
Forest, you may notice stories from
DFGFI woven throughout. In fact,
the overlook in Gorilla Forest was
modeled after the Karisoke research
center in Rwanda.
Your Louisville Zoo supports
several conservation partners
and programs, including Saving
Animals from Extinction (SAFE),
the Black-Footed Ferret Recovery
Program, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
Did you know?
International, International Elephant
25 cents from every Louis-
Foundation, Pan African Sanctuary
ville Zoo general admission
Alliance (PASA), Polar Bears
ticket and one dollar from
International, Snow Leopard Trust
every membership goes to
and Wildlife Conservation Society.
conservation. Collectively,
You can learn more about each
these quarters and dollars
of our partners and programs at
can make a huge impact.
LouisvilleZoo.org/wildlife-partners.
Louisville Zoo Trunkline • Winter 2017 • 7