What:
Woodland Park Zoo is teaming up with zoos nationwide in an effort to help save the severely endangered rhinoceros in the wild. Woodland Park Zoo's keepers, staff and volunteers are participating in the annual American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) national fundraiser, "Bowling for Rhinos." This is your chance to see zookeepers in their "natural habitat" attempting to bowl amidst the flashing lights and music of Leilani Lanes’ famous "Rockin Rollin Bowlin."

Last year Woodland Park Zoo’s Bowling for Rhinos event raised $11,000, which contributed to an amazing $159,000 raised nationwide. One hundred percent of all donations are sent directly to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya; Ujung Kulon National Park in Java; and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park in Sumatra.

When:
Thursday, August 14, 6:00 p.m. until approximately 8:00 p.m.

Where:
Leilani Lanes at 10201 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle

Info:
http://bfr.aazk.org

Other:
In 1990 the AAZK realized that zookeepers around the world were extremely conservation-oriented and wanted to help save rhinos and their habitats, yet did not have the financial resources themselves to make any significant impact. That's when AAZK decided to start a national bowl-a-thon called "Bowling For Rhinos." In Kenya, the donations help support both black and white rhinos native to East Africa; and in Indonesia, AAZK supports the remaining Javan and Sumatran rhinos.

Rhinos have lived on earth for more than 50 million years but whether they survive even 50 more years is open to speculation. Only five species of rhino exist today when once there were more than 100 species. All five species — the white, black, Indian, Sumatran and Javan are endangered. Only the white rhino, with a population of 4,600, seems to be somewhat safe from extinction. In 1960, 60,000 black rhinos roamed Africa. Today only 2,500 remain in isolated populations. On the Asian continent, there are 2,000 Indian, 200 Sumatran and only 47 Javan rhinos. There is a large market in Asia for rhino horn, which is used whole in artistic carvings, as the handle for daggers in the Middle East and is also prized as a medicine and aphrodisiac. Because of this market, four of the five rhinoceros species are nearing extinction.