LA Zoo to offer free travel night

Wednesday, January 20, 2010, 7 p.m.
Los Angeles Zoo

The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), a private, non-profit organization that supports the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, presents a free "Travel Night" on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, 7 p.m., at the Zoo. Open to the public at no charge, the evening features a preview of two unique GLAZA-sponsored vacations to Botswana/Southern Africa and Peru, accompanied by professional guides as well as a Los Angeles Zoo expert or GLAZA host, that focus on the exploration of each area's exceptional wildlife, plant life and ecosystems.

"Travel Night" includes detailed presentations about the trips, the opportunity to ask questions, and refreshments.

Both trips are operated by Classic Escapes, whose mission is to provide educational and entertaining experiences that nurture and directly support diverse wildlife and cultures around the world. The firm has established the Classic Escapes Conservation Fund, which provides a percentage of profits to support conservation and wildlife researchers performing their critical work in the field. Project support has included environmental education efforts in India and Bhutan, wild dog and cheetah conservation in Botswana, Kenya and Namibia, and global Earth Day education via school internet programs.

"BOTSWANA UNMATCHED," May 29 to June 8, 2010, is a journey through the Kalahari Desert and Okavango Delta where travelers experience the euphoria of a southern African safari. An optional pre-extension to Cape Town, South Africa and an optional post-extension to Livingstone and Victoria Falls, Zambia, are available.

"A CLASSIC ADVENTURE TO PERU," October 29 to November 8, 2010, explores Lima, Nazca, the Ballestas Islands, Paracas, Iquitos, the Amazon, the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve and Amazon Natural Park. An optional 6-day post-extension to Cusco and Machu Picchu is available.

The Zoo's travel programs are among the many offerings presented by the private, non-profit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, founded in 1963. This year marks more than four decades of GLAZA's success in supporting the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden's work as an educational resource for the citizens of Los Angeles, and as an international center for the conservation of endangered wildlife.

GLAZA provides funds and other services for Los Angeles Zoo exhibits, conservation, capital projects, education programs, community outreach, research, and more through fund-raising and an endowment, membership, special events and more.

GLAZA currently has 65,000 member households, the second largest membership base of a cultural organization in Los Angeles. Many of its nearly 300,000 individual members have sustained their GLAZA support for more than 20 years.

The Los Angeles Zoo is an international leader in the conservation of endangered species and one of the city's major cultural and entertainment resources.

The free "Travel Night" evening takes place in Witherbee Auditorium at the Los Angeles Zoo, which is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. For more information and "Travel Night" reservations, please call Melissa with the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association at (323) 644-4792.