Indianapolis Zoo Celebrates International Cheetah Day

Zoo Joins Conservation Partner to Bring Awareness to Endangered Cheetahs

INDIANAPOLIS – 2012-11-30 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Indianapolis Zoo is joining with one of its primary conservation partners, the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) of Namibia, Africa, to celebrate the second annual International Cheetah Day on Tuesday, December 4. This special day calls attention to the conservation efforts to save this critically endangered big cat from extinction. The Zoo worked with the CCF in the design of its Cheetahs: The Race for Survival exhibit that opened in 2010 in partnership with the Tony Stewart Foundation, and the Zoo continues to support the organization through continuing education and the Race a Cheetah fundraising component of the exhibit.

Dr. Laurie Marker, co-founder and director of the CCF and two-time finalist for the Indianapolis Prize, has said, “We stand at a moment where this amazing animal could disappear in less than 20 years if we don’t do anything to stop it. International Cheetah Day serves to remind us that the cheetah, like all wildlife, is a treasure of our planet. Wildlife enhances our landscapes and can support livelihoods when utilized in a sustainable manner. When a species becomes extinct, everyone loses.”

According to the Nambian Tourism Board, many people have come together to try and protect the cheetah, but the greatest threat to this animal’s survival still comes from humans. Farmers may kill cheetahs because they believe they pose a threat to their livestock, while others capture cheetahs to be sold as illegal pets.

One of CCF’s creative solutions involves breeding and training Kangal dogs (a working breed originally from Turkey) to be livestock guard dogs for farmers. Using these guard dogs can greatly reduce cheetah predation on domestic animals. Indianapolis Zoo visitors learn more about the program through seasonal cheetah and Kangal dog chats at the Race for Survival exhibit, and they can support the program by participating in the Race a Cheetah activity. The net proceeds from the fee charged to run the Race a Cheetah course go directly to the CCF. In the three seasons since its opening, Race a Cheetah has raised nearly than $40,000 to help CCF rescue cheetahs and train Kangal guard dogs.

To help mark International Cheetah Day, the public can visit the Indianapolis Zoo’s web site to learn more about these stunningly beautiful cats – the fastest land animal on the planet. CCF’s web site also has complete information, including educational materials. Visitors can also make plan to come to the Indianapolis Zoo next summer to participate in Race a Cheetah and contribute directly to cheetah conservation in Africa.

To learn more about the Indianapolis Zoo’s international conservation initiatives, visit the Conservation section of the Zoo’s web site.

About the Indianapolis Zoo
Located in White River State Park downtown, the Indianapolis Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Association of Museums as a zoo, aquarium and botanical garden. The Indianapolis Zoo empowers people globally, to advance animal conservation. To learn more about the Indianapolis Zoo’s international conservation initiatives, visit the of the Zoo’s web site.

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Indianapolis Zoo
Located in White River State Park downtown, the Indianapolis Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Association of Museums as a zoo, aquarium and The Indianapolis Zoo empowers people and communities, both locally and globally, to advance animal conservation.

Contact: Judith L. Gagen
Conservation Communications Specialist
317-630-2010
jgagen@indyzoo.com

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