Press Room: Los Angeles Zoo Breaks Ground on New Theater for "World of Birds Show"

Contact: Jason Jacobs, (323) 644-4273
Contact: Laura Stegman (310) 470-6321

MEDIA INVITED TO COVER GROUNDBREAKING
FEATURING UP-CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH BIRDS

Wednesday, July 18, 10:00 A.M., Los Angeles Zoo

 

WHAT:
The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens breaks ground on a new theater for its popular "World of Birds" show on Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at 10:00 a.m.   After enchanting Zoo visitors for more than 20 years the facility was in need of renovation.  Improvements are made possible by donations arranged by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) from Basil Collier and Mohammad Virani of the Angela Collier Foundation and long-time GLAZA docent and donor Helen Pekny.

When the theatre re-opens later this year, its new name will be the Angela Collier World of Birds Theater, named for Collier's late daughter who established the Angela Collier Foundation to support a variety of animal welfare charities.  Support for the project from Pekny, a docent since 1985, funds a complete backstage renovation.Bird Show Concept

The new Angela Collier World of Birds Theater features a Mediterranean theme with a two story stage to better demonstrate natural behaviors of birds.  Over 20 species of birds, including macaws, condors, vultures, cranes, hornbills, hawks and eagles, are part of the bird shows.

WHO:  City of Los Angeles Councilmember Tom LaBonge
John Lewis, Zoo Director
Connie Morgan, Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) President
Basil Collier and Mohammad Virani, Angela Collier Foundation
Helen Pekny, Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association Docent and Supporter
World of Birds Show birds and animal trainers

WHEN/WHERE:  10:00 A.M., Wednesday, July 18, 2012, Los Angeles Zoo

Please park in the Zoo’s main lot and wait near the bus circle for transfer to the groundbreaking. 
Please arrive by 9:45 A.M. to allow for ample transfer time.

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About the Los Angeles Zoo
The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways, where it hosts over 1.6 million visitors each year.  The Zoo is home to a diverse collection of 1100 animals, many of which are rare or endangered.  New exhibits include The LAIR-Living Amphibians, Invertebrates and Reptiles, Elephants of Asia and Campo Gorilla Reserve. Admission is $16 for adults and $11 for children ages 2 to 12. The Zoo is open from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.daily.  For information, call (323) 644-4200.

About the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association
The private, non-profit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) was founded in 1963.  For nearly five decades, GLAZA has funded exhibits, plant and animal species conservation, capital projects, and education and community outreach programs at the Los Angeles Zoo, an international leader in the preservation of endangered species and a conservation center for the care and study of wildlife.  GLAZA also builds and invests endowment funds and operates five essential departments on behalf of the Zoo, including development, publications, membership, volunteers and oversight of the Zoo's food/retail concessions.  There are currently 73,000 GLAZA member households representing more than 300,000 adults and children, the largest membership base of a cultural organization in Los Angeles, and a volunteer corps of over 700.