Unusual carousel to open at LA Zoo Oct. 27

The new Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel, opening Thursday, October 27, 2011, at the Los Angeles Zoo, is not your everyday merry-go-round.

Featuring 66 artisan-crafted figures as diverse as a komodo dragon, poison dart frog, Sumatran tiger and a dung beetle chariot, it is set apart by the quality of its exceptional craftsmanship, vibrant color, sense of fun and lively depictions of endangered wildlife and California flora and fauna.

This stunning wooden carousel, commissioned by the private, non-profit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) and made possible by a generous gift from Ann and Jerry Moss and by figure sponsorships from individual benefactors, is the only one of its kind in Southern California.

Every hand-carved and hand-painted figure on the Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel is a beautiful piece of art, right down to the vivid décor of each saddle. Many represent animals residing at the Zoo.

As an homage to the traditional art of carousel creation, there are horses, including a far from ordinary equine trio prancing among the carousel’s more exotic fauna: horse racing’s illustrious stars Zenyatta, Giacomo and Tiago, in tribute to Ann and Jerry Moss, their owners.

According to GLAZA President Connie Morgan, "The vibrant figures of animals, many that the Zoo is working to save from extinction, represent the Carousel's purpose to highlight the Zoo’s conservation commitment for future generations. Ridership revenue will be an important source of ongoing support for the Zoo’s mission."

More than 40 figures have been claimed for sponsorships to date, among them Snakes on a Log (GLAZA Trustee Slash and his wife Perla), the Praying Mantis (GLAZA Trustee Holly Robinson Peete), and the Bear Cub (the Elton John Charitable Fund). A few animal sponsorships remain available; for opportunities, visit www.lazoo.org/support/carousel.

Appealing as much to adults as to children, the carousel’s design includes a centerpiece surrounded by painted murals that take riders around a whimsical dusk-to-dawn pictorial of the world’s wild animals in unexpected settings — from Malibu to Hollywood — and the carousel spins to music by the Police, Go-Go's, Cat Stevens, Amy Grant, Janet Jackson, Bryan Adams, Joe Cocker, Styx, the Carpenters, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass and other recording artists from the A&M label co-founded by Jerry Moss with Alpert. The recorded voice instructing riders as the Carousel starts and stops is actress Carolyn Hennesy, whose extensive credits include General Hospital and Cougar Town.

The Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel, created by master artisans of Ohio-based Carousel Works, the world’s largest manufacturer of wooden carousels, continues a centuries-old tradition. Guests are sure to discover something new with every ride or walk-around, including figures of endangered animals the Zoo is actively striving to preserve, among them Zoo residents such as the Asian elephant, snow leopard, mountain tapir, Chacoan peccary, lowland gorilla and peninsular pronghorn. Individual animals commissioned specifically for the Los Angeles Zoo are the peninsular pronghorn, the maned wolf and the serval. Unexpected figures taking a twirl are a blue scarab, honeybee, clownfish, baby rhino, double-wattled cassowary and one of the Zoo’s freeloading night visitors, a skunk. A beautiful peacock chariot is universally accessible. Notations above identify each animal and insect figure, and sponsors are acknowledged on a plaque at the base.

Artwork throughout the carousel represents life in California, showcasing flowers and birds, all native to the California habitat. Morgan explains the figure diversity amid the California theme by saying, “Everyone comes to California.” Look for Indian paintbrush, lilacs, sequoias and coast live oaks on the inner panels and portraits of the California gull, red-tailed hawk and quail (the California state bird) on the outside crown.

The Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel was named by the Mosses in honor of their close friend, the late screenwriter, director and producer whose credits include the first two Superman movies, the James Bond films Diamonds are Forever, Live and Let Die and The Man with the Golden Gun, and the Hart to Hart television series, among many others. Mankiewicz was Chairman of GLAZA's board from 2002 until his passing in 2010, and a staunch supporter of the Zoo’s conservation efforts. The quirky dung beetle chariot was made possible by his individual sponsorship.

“Tom convinced us how much a carousel would add to the Zoo-going family’s experience, and that’s how we got involved,” says Ann Moss. "Tom originally wanted it to be called the Moss Family Conservation Carousel, but when he passed away, we decided to name it for him," Jerry Moss adds. "He was such a good friend to so many people, and he truly loved Los Angeles and the Zoo.”

For nearly five decades, the private, non-profit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, founded in 1963, has funded exhibits, plant and animal species conservation, capital projects, and education and community outreach programs at the Los Angeles Zoo, an international leader in the preservation of endangered species and a conservation center for the care and study of wildlife. GLAZA also builds and invests endowment funds and operates five essential departments on behalf of the Zoo, including development, publications, membership, volunteers and oversight of the Zoo's food/retail concessions. There are currently 72,000 GLAZA member households representing more than 300,000 adults and children, the largest membership base of a cultural organization in Los Angeles, and a volunteer corps of over 700.

The mission of the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is to serve the community by creating an environment for recreation and discovery; inspire an appreciation of wildlife through exhibitry and education; ensure the highest level of animal welfare; and support programs that preserve biodiversity and conserve natural habitat. The Zoo is home to a diverse collection of 1,100 animals, many of which are rare or endangered. The Zoo is actively engaged in the conservation of the California condor, mountain yellow-legged frog and peninsular pronghorn. In addition, the Zoo’s botanical collection comprises several planted gardens featuring over 800 different plant species. The Zoo, which receives over 1.5 million visitors per year, is owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

The Los Angeles Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Drive in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Parking is free. Admission to the Los Angeles Zoo is free to GLAZA members; non-members are $14 for ages 13 and up; $11 for seniors ages 62 and up; $9 for children ages 2 to 12; and free for children under 2. Revenue from the Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel's nominal ticket price of $3 funds programs at the Zoo. Tickets and information: (323) 644-6042 or http://www.lazoo.org.