The young male, born on Oct. 18 at the Como Zoo in St. Paul, will arrive at Zoo Boise sometime in 2008.
To date, the Friends of Zoo Boise has raised $1.4 million toward the campaign. When they raise an additional $700,000, the group will receive a $700,000 match ($500,000 from The ALSAM Foundation and $200,000 from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust), to complete the $2.8 million goal.
The Friends of Zoo Boise recently modified the original campaign goal of $2.3 million due to increased construction costs. The new campaign goal is $2.8 million and the gift from The ALSAM Foundation will absorb these increased construction costs.
"We are absolutely delighted to receive this gift from The ALSAM Foundation. Their generous gift will help build the most exciting exhibit in Zoo Boise’s history!" said Carolyn Terteling-Payne, chair of the Out of Africa campaign. "With only $700,000 left to raise, the grant from The ALSAM Foundation and the MJ Murdock Charitable Trust gifts, we will be able to match every community gift from this point forward $1 for $1."
"The ALSAM Foundation and L.S. and Aline W. Skaggs and their family are pleased to be able to assist in the creation of the African Plains exhibit at Zoo Boise. We are confident that it will facilitate the goals of Zoo Boise to educate the youth of the Treasure Valley and to assist in animal conservation," said Ronny L. Cutshall, President of The ALSAM Foundation. "This gift is made in the memory of and to honor Mr. and Mrs. Clarence B. Wilmot, the parents of Aline W. Skaggs."
With the help of the Treasure Valley community, the Friends of Zoo Boise hopes to have the remaining $700,000 raised by Spring 2007, with construction beginning in late summer. The exhibit could potentially open in the summer of 2008.
The young male giraffe was born at the Como Zoo in St. Paul, Minnesota on October 18th. The Como Zoo will hold the giraffe until the exhibit is ready in 2008. "Assuming that we’re able to raise all the money necessary to build the exhibit, this young male will be brought to Zoo Boise in 2008. We are delighted to acquire our first giraffe for the exhibit," says Steve Burns, Zoo Director.
The African Plains exhibit will cover over 3.5 acres of Zoo Boise and feature giraffes, lions, zebras, lemurs, rock hyrax and weaver birds. Visitors will view the animals from an African Village that will contain a schoolroom, ranger station, open-air market and an African house. In addition to the animals, visitors will learn about the culture, customs and traditions of a place half way around the world.
The Friends of Zoo Boise have received a number of other leadership gifts from the Kissler Family Foundation in the Idaho Community Foundation, the Johnston Family Foundation, the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation, Pinnacle Engineers, Nagel Beverage, the Langroise Fund in the Idaho Community Foundation, Harry W. Morrison Foundation, Wells Fargo and U.S. Bank.
Individuals and corporations that would like to donate can do so by visiting the zoo’s campaign website, www.zooboise.org