**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

Contact: Nancy Filippi, Director, Marketing

(510) 632-9525 ext. 132

The Oakland Zoo Hosts 13th Annual Celebrating Elephants Events Oakland, CA, May 14, 2009…the Oakland Zoo presents two events on May 16 and May 23 that can’t be missed! The two-day event begins on Saturday May 16, with Celebrating Elephants Day. From 10:00am through 3:00pm, visitors will find exciting stations including activities such as touching gigantic elephant bones, holding an eleven-pound elephant tooth, and stepping into an elephant footprint. A mock research camp will allow guests to observe and record the elephants’ behaviors using data sheets. Plus, experience a once-a-year opportunity to tour the elephant barn and have a close encounter with an elephant for $5.00!

In the Wayne and Gladys Valley Children’s Zoo, visitors will find a carnival atmosphere including popcorn, cotton candy, jugglers, and performers. It’s not the typical Oakland Zoo scene, but on Celebrating Elephants Day, Circus Finelli, an animal-free circus, creates a festive experience for children and adults. Celebrating Elephants Day is an event for the entire family to enjoy!

On Saturday May 23, the public is welcome to attend the Oakland Zoo’s annual Celebrating Elephants Evening Lecture.

Oakland Zoo Curator, Colleen Kinzley, will host the evening presentation and silent auction. Ms. Kinzley has worked with elephants for more than twenty-five years. She leads the Zoo's efforts in elephant research and conservation and strives to raise awareness and support for elephants in the wild. Kinzley also participates in research both at the Oakland Zoo and in Namibia, a country in Southern Africa, studying elephant communication and social behavior. Guests will also be given the opportunity to enter to win an African Safari!

The Celebrating Elephants evening begins at 6:00pm with a reception and silent auction followed by a presentation at 7:00pm. Appetizers and beverages will be served. The cost for this event is $20 per person.

Celebrating Elephants is an opportunity for the Oakland Zoo to raise money for elephant research and conservation in the wild. Funds raised from the Celebrating Elephants events will go to the Amboseli Trust for Elephants. For more information about the Trust visit www.elephanttrust.org

Click HERE to see related elephant topics on the Oakland Zoo's website.

The award-winning Oakland Zoo is home to more than 660 native and exotic animals. Nestled in the Oakland Hills, in 525 acre Knowland Park, the Zoo is located at 9777 Golf Links Road, off Highway 580. The East Bay Zoological Society (Oakland Zoo) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization supported in part by members, contributions, the City of Oakland and the East Bay Regional Parks.