Bronx, NY – Oct. 2, 2012 – The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo has completed construction of two buildings and will be hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the LaMattina Wildlife Ambassador Center and an expansion of the Wildlife Health Center at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4.

The facilities will help WCS continue its long tradition of connecting people to nature and ensuring exemplary care for animals.

The LaMattina Wildlife Ambassador Center is a 10,460-square-foot, state-of-the-art building that will house animals used in the zoo’s education programs.

The expanded Wildlife Health Center is a technologically advanced animal holding facility specifically designed to meet the exact environmental needs of a wide variety of animals.

Who:
Dr. Cristián Samper, WCS President and CEO
Jim Breheny, EVP and General Director of WCS Zoos & Aquarium, Jonathan Little Cohen Bronx Zoo Director
John Calvelli, WCS Executive Vice President of Public Affairs
Honorable Ruth Hassell-Thompson, New York State Senate
Honorable Jeff Klein, New York State Senate
Honorable Joel Rivera, Majority Leader New York City Council
Florence Davis, President, The Starr Foundation
John and Mary LaMattina

What:
Ribbon-cutting ceremony for
LaMattina Wildlife Ambassador Center and
expanded Wildlife Health Center

Where:
WCS’s Bronx Zoo
2300 Southern Blvd
Bronx, NY

When
Thursday, October 4, 2012; 10:30 a.m.
Media arrival: 10:00 a.m.

The Wildlife Conservation Society is grateful for the generous support of those who made these projects possible:

LaMattina Wildlife Ambassador Center
John and Mary LaMattina
The Bodman Foundation
New York State Senate
New York City Council
The Starr Foundation

Expanded Wildlife Health Center
New York State Senate
The Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York
New York City Council
The Starr Foundation

The LaMattina Wildlife Ambassador Center and expanded Wildlife Health Center are part of the C.V. Starr Science Campus, made possible through the support of The Starr Foundation and the City of New York.

Special media note: Members of the media who wish to attend, please RSVP to Max Pulsinelli at mpulsinelli@wcs.org or 718-220-5182. Media should arrive no later than 10:00 a.m. at the Fordham Rd. entrance.

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world’s largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Adult admission is $16, children (3-12 years old) $12, children under 3 are free, seniors (65+) are $14. Parking is $13 for cars and $16 for buses. The Bronx Zoo is conveniently located off the Bronx River Parkway at Exit 6; by train via the #2 or #5 or by bus via the #9, #12, #19, #22, MetroNorth, or BxM11 Express Bus service (from Manhattan that stops just outside the gate.) To plan your trip, visit www.bronxzoo.com or call 718-367-1010.

CONTACT:
Max Pulsinelli - 718-220-5182; mpulsinelli@wcs.org
Steve Fairchild – 718-220-5189; sfairchild@wcs.org