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Akon Zoo receives $1.5 million gift—the largest donation in the zoo's history

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Posted at 12:37 PM, Feb 27, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-27 12:49:48-05

AKRON, Ohio — The Akron Zoo has received the largest donation in the institution's history—$1.5 million to be exact.

The gift was from an anonymous donor, and with the gift, it will support the current expansion of the zoo, including new and innovative wildlife areas such as the Pride of Africa.

The donation helps bring a total of money raised for its ROAR campaign to $4.8 million, or 80 percent, of its $6 million goal, according to a release from the zoo.

“Our donor is someone who wants to make a transformational contribution, to the zoo and the ROAR campaign, that will also inspire others in our community to come forward and support the zoo,” said Pam Holtz, vice president and chief development officer. “The Akron Zoo staff and our Board of Directors, led by chairman Jim Snider, appreciate this individual’s investment in the zoo’s future.”

The Pride of Africa exhibitis scheduled to open on June 1, 2019, and it will feature a lion habitat, a gazelle and white storks and a Maasai boma for goats.

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