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Zoo Elephant Exhibit Wins Significant Achievement Award
Zoo Elephant Exhibit Wins Significant Achievement Award
09/24/2009
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) announced its 2009 Significant Achievement Award for Exhibit Design today, and the N.C. Zoo's Watani Grasslands Reserve took top honors. In making this announcement, AZA president and CEO Jim Maddy said, "The North Carolina Zoo is a leader in innovative exhibits that provide
great habitats for the animals and meaningful educational opportunities
for its visitors. The AZA
Significant Achievement Award provides well-deserved national
recognition for this important endeavor.”
AZA's exhibit award is presented annually to an AZA-accredited institution that has opened an exceptional animal exhibit during the preceding year. The Watani Grasslands Reserve evolved from an $8.5 million expansion and renovation of the African Elephant and Southern White Rhinoceros habitats that the Zoo opened in the early 1980s. The renovations provided the elephants and rhinos with significantly larger exhibits and holding areas and enhanced the educational and viewing opportunities available to visitors. Changes to the exhibit also positioned the Zoo to join captive breeding efforts for these two highly threatened species.
Gifts to the N.C. Zoo Society funded more than $7 million toward this project, which unfolded under the talented and watchful eyes of the Zoo's robust Design, Animal, Horticulture and Education staffs.
Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. AZA accreditation is reserved for institutions that demonstrate their capacity and commitment to providing excellent care to their animals, outstanding educational experiences to their visitors and a strong commitment to the conservation of living organisms. Through the work of its more than 200 accredited members, AZA has become a leader in global wildlife conservation. For more information, please visit www.aza.org.
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