SEATTLE - Woodland Park Zoo’s Jungle Party presented by Wells Fargo was a roaring success æ even Friday’s wet weather didn’t keep zoo supporters away! Nearly 850 civic, community and philanthropic leaders attended the zoo’s premiere fundraiser, co-chaired by John and Sarah Rindlaub, to contribute more than $1.25 million dollars to support the zoo’s animal care, education and wildlife conservation projects.

Jungle Party proceeds also included more than $300,000 in contributions toward this year’s beneficiary of the Fund-Our-Future Fund: Woodland Park Zoo’s Conservation Action Fund.

Woodland Park Zoo’s 29th Annual Jungle Party was themed Beijing ~ Jewel of the Middle Kingdom. It was an unforgettable evening with engaging entertainment, exhibit tours, a gourmet sit-down dinner by Ray’s Boathouse Catering, appetizers served by Seattle’s top chefs from Cascadia Restaurant, Fairmont Olympic Hotel, and Nell’s Restaurant, a Specialty Drink Bar by Restaurant Zoë, and live and silent auctions consisting of over 500 auction items. Live auction highlights included: two Woodland Park Zoo carousel horses sold for $20,000 each; a Georgia Gerber’s labrador retriever bronze sculpture for $14,000; a SeaDream yacht cruise for two for $13,000; a trip for two to Beijing with former zoo Director Dave Towne and his wife Chris Towne for $11,000; and an opportunity to participate in the zoo’s next artificial insemination of Asian elephant Chai for $11,000.

“ The generosity of this community is inspiring! The zoo and the community we serve are blessed by such loyal and generous support,” says Woodland Park Zoo President and CEO Dr. Deborah Jensen. “Jungle Party directly supports the zoo’s efforts to connect kids with nature and help create a sustainable future for wildlife.”

The zoo’s fundraiser also helps to ensure this cherished community resource continues to make a difference in the survival of threatened and endangered species in Washington state and around the world. Woodland Park currently participates in 45 field conservation projects in more than 29 countries across the globe.

Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting a standard for zoos all over the world. With conservation, education and excellent animal care at the core of the zoo’s mission, the zoo is helping to save endangered species in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring visitors and others to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.