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News Release
| For Immediate Release |
Local Partners Begin Fundraising Efforts for Gulf Coast
Donations to support wildlife rescue and rehabilitation needed in wake of oil spill
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FORT WORTH, Texas – The Fort Worth Zoo, Albertsons and CBS 11/TXA 21 are partnering to raise money to aid in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts along the Gulf Coast.
Beginning May 17 and running through June 6, donations will be collected for organizations working along the Gulf of Mexico coastline, including Mote Marine Laboratory, the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Sea Turtle Inc., the Gladys Porter Zoo, and others.
During a three-week fundraising drive, monetary donations can be made at all Dallas/Fort Worth-area Albertsons stores, at the Fort Worth Zoo, and online at www.fortworthzoo.org. Albertsons also committed to matching all individual in-store donations up to $5,000.
Staff members from all partner organizations will also be in the CBS 11/TXA 21 television studios May 18 taking donations by phone during the CBS 11 News at 4, 5, and 6 p.m. and the TXA 21 News: First in Prime from 7 to 9 p.m. During that time, CBS 11 and TXA 21 will air interviews with experts about the potential short-term and long-term impact of the disaster on wildlife and habitat.
The predicted costs of the rescue and rehabilitation efforts continue to escalate following the April 20 explosion and resulting oil spill on the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico. The initial rescue and cleanup are only the first part of a long process to care for the wildlife and ready them for release back into the wild.
“We understand that many different species will require round-the-clock care over an extended period of time while they are rehabilitated,” said CBS 11/TXA 21 President and General Manager Gary Schneider. “When disaster strikes, it’s the nature of North Texans to reach out and help. This program provides an expedient way to get funds where they are most needed, to aid in the cleaning, housing, feeding and care for these animals.”
Because of the many rescue and rehabilitation locations, and the diversity of needs, only financial donations will be accepted.
“The crisis in the Gulf has far-reaching implications for everyone and everything,” said William Emmons, president of the Dallas-Fort Worth division of Albertsons LLC. “Ensuring that the animals native to the Gulf region survive and thrive beyond this disaster will be critical to both the environmental and economic recovery in the area. Through this fundraising campaign, Albertsons stores and customers can help begin making those recovery efforts possible, something we’re proud to be able to do in partnership with the Fort Worth Zoo and CBS 11/TXA 21.”
Although the coastline is always a fragile ecological system, these kinds of events can have a devastating effect not only on this but also on future generations of wildlife. “Much of the wildlife in the region are migrating, nesting and breeding,” said Michael Fouraker, Fort Worth Zoo executive director. “Because conservation is a pillar of our mission, and because of our role as a leader in conservation efforts throughout the world, it was important to help mobilize the resources of our community for something that will impact our neighbors. These kinds of partnerships and efforts are vital to the health and well-being of wildlife not only here, but across the globe.”
For more information on how to donate to Gulf Coast wildlife rescue efforts, go to www.fortworthzoo.org.
The nationally acclaimed Fort Worth Zoo has been ranked the No. 5 zoo in the nation by USA Travel Guide and the No. 1 attraction in the DFW Metroplex by Zagat survey. The Zoo is home to more than 500 animal species and a world-famous reptile collection, housed in the new Museum of Living Art (MOLA). The institution’s focus on education and conservation is second to none, enhancing the lives of more than one million visitors annually.
Albertson’s LLC is working to become the favorite food and drug retailer in every market it serves. The company employs more than 20,000 associates and operates under the Albertsons banner in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas.
CBS 11 (KTVT-TV) and TXA 21 (KTXA-TV) are owned and operated in Dallas-Fort Worth by CBS Television Stations. CBS Television Stations consists of 29 stations, including 16 that are part of the CBS Television Network and 13 that are affiliated with The CW Network, MyNetworkTV, or operate as independents.
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For Further Information Contact:
Alexis Wilson, Communications Director
awilson@fortworthzoo.org
Remekca Owens, Public Relations Manager
rowens@fortworthzoo.org
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