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Vera Bradley Gives $100,000 to Zoo’s African Journey Capital Campaign

Thanks to a donation of $100,000 from Vera Bradley, African porcupines will have a home at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. Vera Bradley announced the gift today in support of the zoo’s African Journey Capital Campaign.

“Vera Bradley is obviously committed to making Fort Wayne a better place to live and work,” said Zoo Director Jim Anderson. “We are thrilled to have their support for this exciting project.”

“Vera Bradley is so proud to support the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo by funding the African porcupine exhibit.” Vera Bradley Co-founder Patricia R. Miller said. “We know the children will love getting to know the prickly porcupines.”

African porcupines are about two feet long and weigh approximately 50 pounds. Normally, the porcupine's 15-inch-long quills lay flat on its back. But when danger approaches, the porcupine raises its quills and runs backward into its opponent, driving the quills into its enemy’s flesh. Contrary to popular belief, porcupines cannot throw their quills.

The African porcupine exhibit is just one part of the $10.5 million African Journey project. The porcupines will live in an all-new habitat next to lions, hyenas, vultures, and other African creatures. Construction will begin on the exhibit this summer.

More than $8 million has been raised for the zoo’s African Journey Capital Campaign to date. “We are grateful to the many generous donors who have made this campaign a success so far,” said Anderson. 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 is the largest ever undertaken in the zoo’s 42-year history and the first major renovation since the opening of the Indonesian Rain Forest in 1994. The African Journey’s grand opening is set for 2009, but portions of the African Veldt are accessible to visitors during construction this summer.

Vera Bradley was founded in 1982 by friends Barbara Baekgaard and Patricia Miller. Today, internationally recognized Vera Bradley offers a large selection of cotton quilted handbags, travel bags, accessories, and innovative limited edition lines including beach, sport, and pet collections. Vera Bradley licensed products include fine tableware, furniture, rugs and linens, as well as rolling luggage, stationery, and eyewear and can be seen at www.verabradley.com.

The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is northeast Indiana’s top tourist attraction, drawing 500,000 visitors each year. The zoo is completely self-supporting and receives no tax funding for operations. The zoo was named one of the “Top Ten Zoos for Kids” by Child magazine and was voted “Fort Wayne’s Best Attribute.”

The zoo is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through October 14. Admission is $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for children age 2-14, and $7.00 for seniors over age 60. Babies age 1 and under and Zoo Society Members are admitted free.

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