John Rintamaki, Ford Motor Company chief of staff announced today that the Ford Motor Company Fund is donating $3 million to Zoo Atlanta for improvements to the zoo’s award-winning Ford African Rain Forest which the automaker helped build. Rintamaki made the announcement during a press conference at Zoo Atlanta. On hand to help deliver the news was Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and Zoo Atlanta President and CEO, Dr. Terry L. Maple.
"I have watched the transformation of Zoo Atlanta under the leadership of Terry Maple from worst to first. Ford Motor Company has played a pivotal role in that process, and as a result we all can be part of this "world class zoo.” Today we are proud to share in this announcement of Ford's continued support,” said the Mayor.
The Ford African Rain Forest, which opened in 1988, has been lauded as a premier example of an inspired, man-made habitat. Long noted as the home of the Zoo’s beloved Willie B., who passed away in 2000, the exhibit is now home to 22 western lowland gorillas and has celebrated the births of 12 baby gorillas, all raised in a natural social environment. The funds will pay for both refurbishments and additions to the existing animal habitats and holding buildings, a new bongo exhibit, and improvements to staff and visitor areas.
“Ford Motor Company was Zoo Atlanta’s first, significant corporate partner, and its dedication has only grown stronger through the years,” said Maple.
“Since partnering with Zoo Atlanta in 1985 to help build the Ford African Rain Forest, we at Ford Motor Company have been privileged to witness first-hand all the remarkable accomplishments of this award-winning zoo. As our association and commitment has grown throughout the years, we remain proud to be associated with Zoo Atlanta,” said Rintamaki.
A financial supporter of Zoo Atlanta since 1985, Ford Motor Company has donated more than $10 million to the zoo for exhibit construction, conservation education programs and operating support. The company has sponsored the Beastly Feast, the Zoo’s annual black tie gala, for the past 17 years; the event has raised more than $1 million in each of the last four years. In 2000, the zoo re-dedicated the Ford Willie B. Gorilla Conservation Center, a state-of-the-art interactive exhibit within the Ford African Rain Forest, refurbished with Ford funding. The Ford Pavilion event facility and Ford Conservation Conference Center are also core components of Zoo Atlanta sponsored by the automaker.