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Sep 3, 2008 2:53 pm US/Central
$5 Million Gift To Help Dallas Zoo African Habitat
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
With Jenny the elephant in the news so much lately, there has been a lot of talk about the Dallas Zoo's plan for a new African Savanna habitat. That habitat is a lot closer to reality today after receiving the largest single private gift donation in the zoos 120-year history.
The Dallas Zoological Society received a three-year pledge of $5 million from the Harold Simmons Foundation.
The pledge is specifically for the new African savanna habitat. The $40 million exhibit will feature elephants, giraffes, lions, warthogs and several other species native to Africa.
The new exhibit is scheduled to be complete in 2011 and will be built in two phases. Phase I of the savanna will consist of four acres of land dedicated to elephants. The new habitat will be at least 15 times larger than the Dallas Zoo's current elephant exhibit.
Phase II will include some seven acres of land dedicated towards giraffes, lions, hyenas, warthogs, and a variety of African hoofstock.
Phase I, which is projected to be complete in 2010, has a projected cost of $10 million. The phase is being funded with City of Dallas bond money. The Simmons Foundation comes in to play with the final phase of the project that will be funded by private contributions.
In a press release statement president and chief executive officer of the Dallas Zoological Society, Michael Meadows, said "This remarkable commitment from one of Dallas' most generous families will help provide wonderful homes for some of our most popular and charismatic animals at the Dallas Zoo. In addition, this African savanna habitat will provide a great learning experience for our community."
In 2007, Harold Simmons was #214 on Forbes list of World Billionaires. Simmons is a self-made billionaire who at the age of 29, borrowed money to buy a small drugstore. Less than 10 years later he sold the 100 store chain, worth more than $50 million, to Jack Eckerd.
The entrepreneur and philanthropist established the Harold Simmons Foundation in 1988. Over the years the foundation has donated millions to causes like caner and arthritis research. Simmons was also a major contributor in the building of Oprah Winfrey's girls' school in South Africa.
Late last month it was announced that Jenny the elephant would remain at the Dallas Zoo. Jenny's most recent companion, Keke, died in May. After the death of Keke, zoo officials had planned on sending Jenny to the "Africam Safari Park" in Mexico.
The average life expectancy of elephants is 34. Jenny is 32.
The controversy surrounding Jenny has even taken a musical turn. 'Jenny's Song' was recorded in a professional studio. The music and lyrics were birthed out of concern for the aging elephant.
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