FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 3, 2008)
Dallas Zoo Receives Largest Private Gift in its 120-Year History

Harold Simmons Foundation Pledges $5 million Toward
African Savanna Habitat

The Dallas Zoo’s African savanna habitat is a giant step closer to reality thanks to a $5 million gift from the Harold Simmons Foundation. The three-year pledge to the Dallas Zoological Society (DZS) is the largest single private contribution in the Dallas Zoo’s 120-year history.

“We are pleased to support the Dallas Zoo’s future African savanna habitat, which will provide much larger and more natural environments for these incredible large mammals,” said Serena Connelly, vice president of the Harold Simmons Foundation and a DZS board member.

The approximately $40 million African savanna habitat will feature elephants, giraffes, lions, warthogs and several other species native to Africa.

“This remarkable commitment from one of Dallas’ most generous families will help provide wonderful homes for some of our most popular and charismatic animals at the Dallas Zoo. In addition, this African savanna habitat will provide a great learning experience for our community,” said Michael Meadows, president and chief executive officer of DZS. “The Harold Simmons Foundation’s pledge provides an important catalyst for our capital campaign and we hope it will inspire others to join in our continued efforts to improve the Dallas Zoo.”

Construction of the African savanna will be divided into two phases. Phase I will encompass four acres of land dedicated toward elephants, with a projected cost of $10 million coming from City of Dallas bond money approved by voters in 2006. An early 2010 completion date has been set for Phase I of the savanna.  Phase II will encompass approximately seven acres of land dedicated towards giraffes, lions, hyenas, warthogs, and a variety of African hoofstock. Phase II will be funded by private contributions with a projected completion date of 2011.

“The Dallas Zoo provides children and families the opportunity to learn about wildlife and conservation,” said Lisa Simmons, president of the Harold Simmons Foundation. “Very few people ever have the opportunity to travel on safari to Africa.  We are very happy to help make it possible for everyone in our community to see these magnificent animals in new naturalistic habitats at the Dallas Zoo.”

"We are extremely grateful for this tremendous gift,” said Gregg Hudson, executive director of the Dallas Zoo and The Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park. “The Simmons family’s commitment provides a huge boost in helping us bring to reality our dream of a state-of-the-art African savanna exhibit."