Teddy Bear Check-Up and Mittens for Bears at Oakland Zoo!

Oakland, CA- Saturday, May 17, 2008 is Bear Awareness Day at Oakland Zoo! The event runs 11:00am-3:00pm. At 12:45pm, come over to the Sun Bear deck and watch Oakland Zoo’s Sun Bear enjoy her favorite coconut treat! From 1:00pm-3:00pm, kids can bring their Teddy Bears for a FREE “Teddy Bear Check-up.” Stop by Flamingo Plaza, visitors can learn about the eight different bear species, how to safely camp in bear country, and why bear conservation is so important. Bring the whole family to Oakland Zoo’s Bear Awareness Day! Oakland, CA- Wednesday, May 21, 2008, Oakland Zoo welcomes Jill Robinson, Director of Animals Asia International, as a guest speaker. In 1993, Jill Robinson began the first investigation into the practice of bear farming in China. Her horrific discovery of an industry with international reach and immeasurable cruelty motivated her to found the Animals Asia Foundation and chart a course for animal welfare in Asia. Jill has dedicated her life to studying, protecting and advocating for the Moon Bear and to date her organization has rescued and rehabilitated over 200 bears at their China Bear Rescue Center in Chengdu, China. Now, Animals Asia is expanding their rescue efforts into Vietnam where a new Moon Bear Sanctuary is soon set to open. Oakland Zoo will present Jill with hand-made mittens, knitted especially for the bears by volunteers. The mittens are used to help keep the rescued bears warm during surgery procedures. You can show your support for Jill Robinson and Animals for Asia by attending the Oakland Zoo’s Conservation Speaker Series on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 6:30pm. The cost for this event is $20 per person. All funds collected will go to the Animals Asia Foundation. For more information, please go to www.oaklandzoo.org or contact Amy Gotliffe, Conservation Manager @ (510) 632-9525, ext 122.