Giant Pandas Affected by Deadly Earthquake in China

Virginia Zoo Joins Efforts to Assist

Norfolk , VA – Today the Virginia Zoo made a $2,000.00 donation to the Giant Panda Conservation Fund Earthquake Relief Fund to support programs affected by the deadly earthquake in China 's Sichuan Province.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has urged its members to support programs in China whose work supports the Species Survival Plan ( SSP ) for Giant Pandas. It has been reported that a few of captive pandas have been lost, and some of the staff who care for the pandas were killed or are missing. At the Wolong Breeding and Research Center , nearly every structure has sustained significant damage or been destroyed. Most staff have lost their homes and are living in tents or cars.

The Giant Panda Conservation Foundation (GPCF) is raising funds to help the programs and staff affected by the earthquake and to ensure that protection of these popular animals and the work of the SSP program continue. The Species Survival Plan for the Giant Panda is a cooperative conservation and management plan in which member organizations of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) work to further the conservation of this endangered species. The Virginia Zoo is part of 12 SSP programs and includes the Red Panda, Bongo and Lions.

For more information about this relief effort or to make a donation, contact:

Giant Panda Conservation Foundation Earthquake Relief Effort

c/o Association of Zoos and Aquariums

8403 Colesville Road, suite 710

Silver Spring , MD 20910

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