“You know the number one reason why people attend zoos is to spend time with loved ones so it's going to bring smiles. It’s going to create wonder.”
That’s John Ball Zoo CEO Peter D’Arienzo.
“I mean, are giraffes huge, and the opportunity for all our guests to be able to feed giraffes? There's nothing more wondrous than that.”
D’Arienzo says the $15 million gift from the Bill and Bea Idema Foundation is the largest donation in the history of the zoo.
It will support a state-of-the-art giraffe habitat in an expanded African savannah as outlined in the zoo’s 10-year master plan.
“The public will have access whenever the zoo is open to the barn, so they'll see where the giraffes spend their time after hours or in the colder months. We have nothing to hide. We're very proud of the quality of the animal care that our keepers provide, and we want to share that with the public. “
The world’s giraffe population is declining due to habitat loss, poaching and climate change.
D'Arienzo says public interaction with giraffes supports the zoo’s conservation efforts.
“A trip to the zoo is an investment in conservation because not only will you learn about the work we do around the world, but it also provides critical funding from earned revenue that allows us to do the work we do, right here in the Great Lakes but also around the world on five continents.”
In addition to the giraffe exhibit, the Idemas have funded the funicular, forest realm, and river otter habitat.
