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AEP Foundation Gives $100,000
to the Zoo’s African Journey Capital Campaign

Thanks to a donation of $100,000 from the AEP Foundation, a flock of great white pelicans will have a home in the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo’s new African Journey exhibit. Helen Murray, president and COO of Indiana Michigan Power, presented the gift to Zoo Director Jim Anderson today on behalf of the AEP Foundation, which is funded by American Electric Power (NYSE: ADP) and its utility operating units, including Indiana Michigan Power.

“We are thrilled with this generous gift,” said Anderson. “The AEP Foundation clearly believes in the zoo and in making Fort Wayne a better place to live and work.”

Anderson also announced that $6.6 million has been raised toward the zoo’s African Journey Capital Campaign so far. “Thanks to the outstanding generosity of our early donors, we may consider increasing our fundraising goal above our original $7 million target,” said Anderson. Raising additional funds will enable the zoo to add visitor amenities and educational displays to the African Journey. The zoo will invite contributions from the general public later this spring.

The African Journey exhibit, which was announced by the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo in September, will involve a complete renovation of the zoo’s existing African Veldt. The project, which is the largest ever undertaken in the zoo’s 42-year history, will bring lions, hyenas, vultures, and other new species to the zoo. The African Journey’s grand opening is set for 2009, but potions of the African Veldt will be accessible to visitors during construction this summer.

The zoo opens for the 2007 season on April 21.

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