For more than 30 years, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has been providing individuals, families and groups with a common place to connect with and learn about the world's wildlife and wild places. This summer, more than 900,000 guests filled the Zoo in nearly record numbers—a testament to the incredible support that Riverbanks receives from Columbia and its surrounding communities. The support of Riverbanks’ members and donors has been especially vital, and we are very grateful.

Annual attendance and memberships are essential to maintaining the park’s daily operations, but it is private support that allows Riverbanks to improve and grow as a world-class facility. Donor support this past year helped Riverbanks achieve the following:

• the birth of a black-footed kitten—one of only 20 black-footed kittens born in captivity;
• the addition of a male koala from the San Diego Zoo, a male lion from the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, KS, and one male and two female hamadryas baboons from the North Carolina Zoo—all under the recommendation of the American Zoo & Aquarium Association Species Survival Plans;
• the construction of an outdoor shade structure to provide sun protection for our African elephants;
• the planning and design of a new classroom that will allow our award-winning education department to expand its program opportunities for the more than 10,000 children who participate each year;
• the announcement by Queensland, Australia’s Premier and Minister for Trade Peter Beattie of a new artificial insemination program that, if successful, will be the first time a koala has been produced by artificial insemination outside of Australia.

Without donor support, Riverbanks could not continue to lead the way in local, regional and international efforts designed to make the world a better place for the animals, our children and the community. I ask that you please consider the importance of Riverbanks as a community leader in conservation, recreation and education and make a donation today.

Your unrestricted gift will be used to fund the areas of greatest need within Riverbanks. For example, $100 may help feed a koala for a day, $200 might be used to help purchase a much-needed dental x-ray unit for routine dental care on the animals, and $500 or more may be applied toward the replacement of surgical lights in the animal hospital. Of course, a gift of any amount will assist our efforts and is sincerely appreciated.

The continued success of Riverbanks requires a strong show of support from our entire community. Please, show you care for your Zoo and make a year-end donation to Riverbanks today.