Animals take to the skies for conservation

It’s not every day you see a gorilla, penguin and red panda flying through the sky.

However, three intrepid bungee jumpers have taken the plunge dressed in animal costumes to raise awareness and funds for Bristol Zoo’s conservation projects.

The trio jumped 160ft at the amphitheatre by Bristol’s harbourside at the weekend. Zoo volunteer, Emma O’Neill, jumped dressed as a gorilla, Zoo volunteer ranger, Jena Vaugourgh jumped dressed as a red panda, and Emma’s brother, Tom, 19, dressed as a penguin. The friends were supported by charlotte haines, a presentation ranger, dressed as a crayfish!

Emma, 22, has been a volunteer at Bristol Zoo for several years and now works as part of the Zoo’s animal presentation team. This is not the first time she has embarked on a daredevil stunt - last year Emma also took part in a skydive dressed as a gorilla!

To find out more about how you can help raise money for Bristol Zoo’s conservation work, visit the Zoo’s website at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/get-involvedor contact Lizy Jones on ljones@bristolzoo.org.ukor by phone on 0117 974 7329.

ENDS

For press enquiries please contact Bristol Zoo’s press office:

Lucy Parkinson, T: 0117 974 7306, or email: lparkinson@bristolzoo.org.uk   

Vanessa Hollier, T: 0117 974 7309, or email: vhollier@bristolzoo.org.uk    

Notes to editors

Bristol Zoo Gardens

• Bristol Zoo Gardens is an education and conservation charity and relies on the income from visitors to support its work. 
• Throughout 2010 Bristol Zoo will be running a series of events to highlight the importance of conserving the world’s biodiversity, as part of the international Year of Biodiversity. For more information visit the Zoo website at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/about/conservation/campaigns/iyob
• To find out more about the UN’s International Year of Biodiversity visit the website at www.biodiversityislife.net
• Bristol Zoo is open from 9am every day except Christmas Day. 
• The Zoo is involved with more than 100 co-ordinated breeding programmes for threatened wildlife species. 
• Itemploys 140 full and part-time staff to care for the animals and run a successful visitor attraction to support its conservation and education work. 
• Bristol Zoo Gardens supports – through finance and skill sharing – 15 projects in the UK and abroad that conserveand protectsome of the world’s most endangered species.
• Bristol Zoo Gardens is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums. BIAZA represents more than 90 member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums.