http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/1211-139.html Kabul Zoo Fund Tops $130K U.S. Newswire 11 Dec 16:00 Kabul Zoo Fund Tops $130K; Fund To Assist Domestic Animals In Afghanistan Now Established To: National Desk Contact: Jane Ballentine of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA), 301-562-0777, ext. 252; or Rod Hackney of the North Carolina Zoo, 336-879-7204 SILVER SPRING, Md., Dec. 11 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The effort by members of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) to assist the decimated Kabul Zoo has received international media coverage and brought thousands of e-mails and phone calls from the public as well as zoos and aquariums across the U.S. and Canada. By 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, the N.C. Zoological Society had received more than $130,000 in pledges. "The response by the zoological community and the public has been wonderful. I have been told that contributions have been pouring in via phone and regular mail," commented Sydney Butler, executive director of the AZA. "Knowing that these funds will be combined with funds being raised by European zoos, N.C. Zoo officials have stated that no additional contributions targeted specifically for the zoo are currently needed." The North Carolina Zoo and its director, Dr. David Jones, began spearheading the effort on behalf of the AZA and its 201-accredited institutions to help the war-torn Afghanistan zoo and its staff. Wire service reports told of Kabul Zoo keepers going months without pay and its dwindling animal collection suffering from lack of food and public abuse. "We anticipated that $30,000 would help the Kabul Zoo provide food for the animals, pay for water, electric and salaries for the staff for 6 months," said Dr. Jones. "Given the amount we have raised, we should also be able to renovate the shelters for the animals to provide protection from the harsh winter weather in Kabul, as well as provide resources well past the original 6 month mark." Recognizing the enormous public concern over animal welfare issues in the Afghan region, a separate fund has been established to provide assistance to the thousands of dogs, cats, horses and other domestic animals that will no doubt need treatment once the current fighting has subsided and a stable government has been established. The NC Zoo-Afghan Animals Fund has raised almost $6,500 in 2 days. Jones, the N.C. Zoo Director, said Monday that an assessment will be made over the next few days of the long-term financial needs of the Kabul Zoo as well as the potential for providing funds to animal welfare agencies working in that region who can provide assistance for domestic animals and wildlife. When that is completed, a statement will be issued on how the additional funds will be utilized and donors will be encouraged to direct their pledges to that effort, Jones added. For additional information, the public should visit [1]http://www.aza.org or [2]http://www.nczoo.com or [3]http://www.nczoo.org. ------ The American Zoo and Aquarium Association was founded in 1924 and currently represents 201 accredited zoos and aquariums in North America. AZA's mission is to support membership excellence in conservation, education, science and recreation. The North Carolina Zoological Park is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources and an accredited member institution of AZA. KEYWORDS: PHILANTHOPY, INTERNATIONAL [4]http://www.usnewswire.com -0- /U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/ 12/11 16:00 Copyright 2001, U.S. Newswire