Randolph Telephone to 10th year as signature sponsor for North Carolina Zoo's 'Zoo to Do'

ASHEBORO, NC - Randolph Telephone has committed to a tenth straight year as signature sponsor of the N.C. Zoo Society’s premier annual fundraiser, Zoo To Do.  As signature sponsor, Randolph Telephone pledged a $30,000 gift for Zoo To Do, which will support Project: Polar Bears —a capital campaign to expand and improve the Zoo’s Polar Bear exhibit and night quarters.

  will upgrade the Zoo’s existing facilities to meet new standards for importing breeding-age bears from Canada—the country with the most reliable and diverse population of wild bears available for exportation. The exhibit will include a small stream and shallow wading pool for the safety of cubs and the comfort of adult bears. Soft soil and sand will give the bears places to dig, and large rocks will provide for climbing and denning. 

Project: Polar Bears

Two glass viewing blinds will allow for close-up encounters with the polar bears in a landscape that will mimic their Arctic habitat. The new night quarters will house as many as six bears and provide private denning space for pregnant females. The polar bears are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP) for that species. The SSPs are national programs to improve the captive care and breeding of endangered species.

“This is the tenth year that Randolph Telephone has been the signature sponsor for Zoo To Do,” said Russ Williams, executive director of the N.C. Zoo Society. “The N.C. Zoo has benefited greatly by the generous support of Randolph Telephone and its commitment to our efforts. Visitors to the Zoo appreciate the enhanced exhibits that result from the funds raised by Zoo To Do, and we are grateful to Randolph Telephone for all it does.”

Zoo To Do 2009, organized by Randolph Friends of the Zoo and the Zoo Society, will be held on Sept. 12 and will feature live and silent auctions, fine cuisine and live entertainment. With Randolph Telephone’s support, Zoo To Do 2008 raised $191,000.

For more information about Zoo To Do 2009 or Project: Polar Bears or to be included on the Zoo To Do invitation list, contact the N.C. Zoo Society at 336-879-7250 or e-mail [email protected].

The North Carolina Zoological Society is a private, non-profit organization that supports the North Carolina Zoo and conservation. The zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment & Natural Resources, Dee Freeman, Secretary; Beverly Perdue, Governor.

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