Sunset Zoo's Opening of Expedition Asia on Saturday will host 'National Geographic Photo Ark' Founder and Photographer Joel Sartore at the ribbon cutting
Gates will open at 9 am with a ribbon cutting at 9:30 am for the public.
These habitats were the vision of a Sunset Trust Board member, the late Chuck Jackson, who helped the Zoo succeed in building the habitats with the lead gift of the project, which was over $500,000. His gift will highlight the Malayan Tiger area of Expedition Asia. Jackson was a longstanding member of the Sunset Zoo Trust Board and, for years, the owner of Chuck's Car Wash in Manhattan. The Zoo is honored to remember Chuck with Expedition Asia.
"Sunset Zoo could not be more honored than to be able to open Expedition Asia in memory of Chuck. He was a leading force behind the biggest fundraising effort we have ever accomplished here at Sunset Zoo. We know he would be happy with the outcome and hope that his memory will live on with us here," said Scott Shoemaker, Director of Sunset Zoo.
The Sunset Zoo Trust helped raise over 2.1 million dollars for the 4.3-million-dollar project. The remaining 2.2 million dollars were funds allocated to the project by the City of Manhattan from the excess Quality of Life Sales Tax raised to support Zoo efforts.
Expedition Asia is the first part of an overall Master Plan for Sunset Zoo as it looks to provide engaging experiences for visitors. The goal is to give animals larger homes to enjoy, enhance their care, and provide an opportunity where Zoo guests can learn about these endangered species and the conservation work taking place worldwide to support their survival.
All of the animals highlighted in Expedition Asia are highly endangered. Therefore, having new habitats for them will not only give the community a chance to see and learn about them, but will also support the Association of Zoos and Aquariums species' survival plan by providing enough space for breeding each animal in the future.
As part of that education, Sunset Zoo is proud to welcome National Geographic Explorer, photographer, and founder of the National Geographic Photo Ark, Joel Sartore.
The National Geographic Photo Ark is an ambitious project committed to documenting every species living in the world's zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries—inspiring people not just to care but also to help protect these animals for future generations. The National Geographic Photo Ark is a compelling and visually powerful project that aims to photograph species before it is too late. In addition to creating an archival record for generations to come, this project is a hopeful platform for conservation and shines a light on individuals and organizations working to preserve species around the world.
Signed copies of Joel Sartore's Photo Ark will be available for sale in the Sunset Zoo gift shop while supplies last on Saturday, along with his newly released Wonders of the Photo Ark, also available in the gift shop. In addition, National Geographic Photo Ark fans are invited to learn more about the Photo Ark and how to support Sartore in his efforts to document our planet’s biodiversity, help save at-risk species and protect their critical habitats at NatGeoPhotoArk.org.
