NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sept. 26, 2006

Zoo Announces Capital Campaign
to Build New African Exhibit

The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo today announced plans for a $7 million capital campaign to transform the 30-year-old African Veldt into a brand-new exhibit called the “African Journey.”

Nearly $5.4 million has already been pledged by local foundations, individuals, and corporations. “We’ve seen a tremendous outpouring of support from the community, for which we are truly grateful,” says African Journey Capital Campaign Chairman Mark Hagerman. “But we’re still a long way from meeting our goal. These funds will help improve one of the true success stories in Northeast Indiana.” Construction is expected to begin this winter. The African Journey is the largest project undertaken by the zoo since the construction of the $5.5 million Indonesian Rain Forest in 1994.

Fort Wayne Zoological Society Board President Kathleen Anderson acknowledged the campaign’s leading gift of $1.1 million from the Lincoln Financial Group Foundation toward a new, state-of-the-art giraffe exhibit. “This gift is a major boost to our campaign, and demonstrates the Lincoln Financial Group Foundation’s leadership in our community,” she says. “We are grateful for their generous support.”

“The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is an exceptional community resource that has introduced generations of children to the natural world,” says Jon Boscia, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Lincoln Financial Group. “We are proud to play a lead role in updating this educational resource for the 21st century.”

The community’s support is not only encouraging, but vital to the survival of the zoo, which was named one of the Top Ten Zoos for Kids by Child Magazine in 2004, says Zoo Director Jim Anderson. “Since the zoo opened in 1965, nearly every exhibit within the zoo has been built with donated money,” says Anderson, noting that the zoo is self-supporting and receives no tax funding for operations. “We want to keep the zoo fresh and exciting, so we can proudly represent Fort Wayne to the rest of the country.” The zoo is the area’s top tourist attracting, drawing about 500,000 visitors annually.

Excitement is growing as the plans for the new exhibit begin to take shape. “The African Journey will take visitors on an awe-inspiring adventure to Africa that’s never been seen before in Fort Wayne,” says Anderson. The African Journey is set to open in 2009.

Visitors will meet majestic African lions nose to nose through glass windows. Hyenas, mongoose, vultures, and servals will roam among huge rock outcroppings on the savannah. Exotic sitatunga antelope and pelicans will dot the lakeshore alongside zebras, ostrich, wildebeest, and gazelles. The zoo’s popular giraffes will remain, but with an exciting twist: Visitors will be able to feed the 16-foot-tall creatures from an elevated platform.

Hands-on experiences will engage children and adults alike, and are set to include a Zebra Research Station, a Survival Trail, hidden caves, interactive sculptures, and a plaza filled with African drums for children to play.

“We can’t wait to provide our visitors with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” says Anderson.

The African Journey will replace the African Veldt, which was built in 1976 for about $750,000. The African Veldt will close once and for all on October 15 when the zoo closes for the 2006 season. Visitors who wish to see African animals and ride the Safari Cars one last time are encouraged to do so in the next few weeks.

The zoo is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until October 15. Admission is $7.50 for adults, $5.00 for children age 2-14 and for seniors over age 60. Babies age 1 and under and Zoo Society Members are admitted free.

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