Bristol Zoo launches first ‘Animal Amble’ fundraiser

Animals in all shapes, sizes and colours are set to roam the Downs later this summer, however, these won’t be creatures on the loose from Bristol Zoo but hundreds of people in fancy dress.

The eye-catching event is being held by Bristol Zoo Gardens for its first ‘Animal Amble’ – a 3k (1.8 mile) sponsored walk around the Downs on Sunday, September 9.

The Zoo is inviting people of all ages to dress up as their favourite animals to walk or stroll around the course to help raise money for the Zoo’s vital conservation projects.

Now staff from the Zoo have dressed up as their favourite animals to officially launch the event and to encourage Zoo supporters to get involved and sign up to take part.

Suzanne Robinson, fundraising manager at Bristol Zoo, said: “We are encouraging as many people as possible, of all ages and abilities, to get dressed up and join us for this brilliant new event - from lions and gorillas to penguins and zebras – every costumed character will be welcome to join in what promises to be a day to remember.”

She added: “This is the first time we’ve held an animal-themed sponsored walk and it is set to be great fun while raising valuable funds for our projects to help animal species at home and around the world.”

The Animal Amble starts at 11am and the Zoo will be awarding prizes for the best costumes and incentives to reach fundraising goals, including a free ticket to the zoo for anyone raising over £50 and a free animal adoption for those who raise over £200.

Zoo mascot, Larry the lemur, and other Zoo characters will be attending on the day and every ‘ambler’ will receive a memento of the day. Free animal face painting will also be on offer (subject to availability). There will also be a children’s marquee, run by the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project, where children can learn about the special wildlife of the Downs. The Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project is one of Bristol Zoo Gardens’ conservation projects.

Entry costs £10 for adults and £6 for children aged 14 and under; family entry is available for two adults and two children, costing £25. Children under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Bristol Zoo’s Animal Amble takes places on the Downs on Sunday, September 9, 2012. To find out more, or to download a registration form, visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk/animalamble or phone Suzanne Robinson on 0117 974 7329.

Bristol Zoo Gardens is a conservation and education charity and relies on the support of its guests to fund its animal conservation work in the zoo and with endangered species around the world.

ENDS

 Notes to editors

Bristol Zoo Gardens

• Bristol Zoo is open from 9am every day except Christmas Day. 
• Bristol Zoo Gardens is a conservation and education charity and relies on income from visitors and supporters to continue its important work. 
• Itemploys over 150 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 supports – through finance and skill sharing - 15 projects in the UK and abroad that conserveand protectsome of the world’s most endangered species.
• In 2011 Bristol Zoo celebrated its 175^th birthday. Over that past 175 years, the Zoo has brought six generations of Bristolians closer to wildlife, helped save over 175 species from extinction, established over 30 field conservation and research programmes all over the world, showed 40 millionschool-aged children the wonder of nature and given more than 90 million visitors a wonderful day out.
• In 2010 Bristol Zoo Gardens set up a Conservation Fund to raise vital funds to help care for threatened animals and plants – both in the Zoo and through the conservation work we do in the UK and around the world.
• 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.