The Dallas Morning News reporter Catherine Marfin filed a story in this morning’s edition about the arrival of two newbies at the Dallas Zoo — a couple of cheetah brothers from The Wilds in Columbus, Ohio. However, it was reported in the story that, “Their arrival comes about four months after the zoo’s last cheetah, Kilima, died of old age.”
Yipes! Then where was Winspear, the cheetah that was born in 2013 at the Dallas Zoo and has made headlines by palling around with his BFF Amani, the Labrador Retriever?
Fear not. Dallas Zoo Marketing and Communications VP Kari Steuber reported, “Winspear is still here. He’s hanging out with his lab buddy Amani with the Outreach team and doing our Backstage Safari programs. The DMN was really focused on the new cheetahs on habitat, so that’s why he wasn’t included!”
And speaking of the Zoo, plans have been announced for the 30th anniversary of its Zoo To Do. Over the years the fundraiser has provided more than $17M to “support the zoo’s mission of Engaging People and Saving Wildlife.”
After a year of not taking place at the 106-acre grounds due to the 2020 pandemic, the 2021 theme — “Return To The Wild” — made perfect sense.
And Winspear and the other animals are eager to party the night away on Saturday, November 6, as their human guests stroll the grounds and graze at food stations provided by a dozen area chefs including Honorary Chef Chair Chef Dan Landsberg.
Zoo To Do Co-Chairs Robyn and Chris Chauvin and veteran animal-loving Honorary Co-Chairs Diane Brierley, Mary McDermott and Ruth O’Donnell Mutch have put together a gaggle of committee members including Big Board Chair Cindy Gummer; Host Committee Co-Chairs Carol and Don Glendenning; Underwriting Committee members Alex Arellano, Ryan Gummer and Steve Roth; Live Auction Committee members Jared Miller and Aimee Williams-Ramey and Royce Ramey; Wine Committee members Greg Hext and Michael Meadows and Chef Wrangler Brett Kraft.
While sponsorships range from $7,500 to $125,000, individual tickets are going for $750 and VIP tickets are $1,500 per person.
* Graphic courtesy of the Dallas Zoo
Anne Stodghill says
Thank you for that clarification. I was worried about Winspear.