WHAT: The Los Angeles Zoo is helping raise awareness and funds for gorilla conservation beginning with Go Gorilla! Weekend on Saturday, Aug. 29 and Sunday, Aug. 30. This event will feature information on current conservation projects, educational talks about the Zoo’s gorillas, gorilla themed games and pointers on how to help save these fascinating animals. Visitors can also become Junior Gorilla Researchers! Supporting the Zoo helps support gorillas in the wild; so visit the Zoo for this special weekend and Go Gorilla!

Media is invited to attend the Go Gorilla! Weekend preview event on Thursday,
Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. The Zoo’s western lowland gorillas will receive delicious
treats and media can check out the Your Gorilla Education Station, a fun mobile
learning center geared towards kids of all ages!

In addition, Alafia, the Zoo’s newest gorilla, will be making her media debut!
Eighteen-year-old Alafia came to the L.A. Zoo from Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo. She has joined the family group, led by silverback Kelly, on exhibit at Campo Gorilla Reserve.

WHEN: Media Preview: Thursday, August 27 at 10 a.m.
Go Gorilla! Weekend: Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30, 2009

WHERE: Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027

The Los Angeles Zoo is participating in the international Year of the Gorilla 2009 campaign to raise awareness and funds for wild gorilla conservation projects in Africa. Go Gorilla! Weekend is just one of the events the Zoo has planned as part of the campaign sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme’s Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (www.yog2009.org).

As part of the weekend’s festivities, on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 10:30 a.m., the L.A. Zoo is hosting, “The New Gorillas: The State of Gorilla Biology and Conservation in 2009,” a lecture by Dr. Craig Stanford. Dr. Stanford is a professor of Anthropology and Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California. The lecture is $10 plus the cost of Zoo admission and the event will take place in the Zoo’s Witherbee Auditorium. A portion of the proceeds will go to support wild gorilla conservation in Africa.

On Sunday, Sept. 20, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the American Association of Zoo Keepers/Los Angeles Chapter invites you to join the 2009 Gorilla Grand Prix! For only $23, purchase a ticket to race go-karts at MB2 Raceway and have a great day of family fun while supporting the Year of the Gorilla! Attendees can also take part in a silent auction, arcade games and a craft fair. This event will take place at the MB2 Raceway, in Sylmar, Calif. All of the funds raised at this event will go to Fauna and Flora International and the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance. Both organizations are involved with saving gorillas. All money donated to this event is tax deductible.

The gorillas will be available to the media on Thursday, August 27, 2009. Park in the Zoo’s main lot and proceed to the bus circle where a cart will transport you to their habitat. To request photos or RSVP, please call (323) 644-4273. To ensure footage of the gorillas while they’re active, please arrive by 9:45 a.m.