Dallas Zoo receives largest private gift in its 120-year history

by PegNews wire

This warthog is thrilled he'll soon be getting a new home.

The Dallas Zoo’s African savanna habitat is a giant step closer to reality thanks to a $5 million gift from the Harold Simmons Foundation. The three-year pledge to the Dallas Zoological Society (DZS) is the largest single private contribution in the Dallas Zoo’s 120-year history.

“We are pleased to support the Dallas Zoo’s future African savanna habitat, which will provide much larger and more natural environments for these incredible large mammals,” said Serena Connelly, vice president of the Harold Simmons Foundation and a DZS board member.

The approximately $40 million African savanna habitat will feature elephants, giraffes, lions, warthogs and several other species native to Africa.

“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,” said Michael Meadows, president and chief executive officer of DZS. “The Harold Simmons Foundation’s pledge provides an important catalyst for our capital campaign and we hope it will inspire others to join in our continued efforts to improve the Dallas Zoo.”

Source: Dallas Zoo