Whereas the animals at San Antonio Zoo have been snacking on their Halloween pumpkins (an attention-grabbing annual social media development), the zoo has revealed plans to maneuver ahead with an enlargement, due to a big new donation.
In an extended publish on X (previously Twitter) on October 30, the zoo’s working nonprofit celebrated a $1 million reward, courtesy of the Greg Kowalski household. These longtime San Antonians have spent generations among the many metropolis’s restaurant trade, and Greg Kowalski now owns The RK Group, recognized for its catering corporations and presence at charitable occasions. These embody previous fundraisers for the zoo.
The $1 million reward will go towards the zoo’s $67 million grasp plan for enlargement (in line with a previous launch), which features a new entrance, a gorilla habitat, and an occasion middle that may host 500 visitors directly. The doorway would be the first completed piece open to the general public, scheduled for December 1, 2023. A portion of the brand new occasion middle, which can also be in improvement, shall be named after the Kowalski household.
“We’re thrilled to assist the San Antonio Zoo’s transformative initiatives by means of this reward,” stated Greg Kowalski, as quoted within the zoo’s social media publish. “Our household is dedicated to serving to San Antonio proceed to thrive as a premier customer vacation spot and we’re excited to affix the zoo’s imaginative and prescient to safe a future for wildlife and supply unparalleled experiences for generations to come back.”
The Greg Kowalski household presenting a ceremonial examine.San Antonio Zoological Society/X
In 2023 (and a post-Tiger King world) many individuals have considerations concerning the ethics of zoos, and the San Antonio operation has garnered combined critiques.
A lot of the zoo’s criticism was based mostly on an previous elephant named Fortunate, who lived alone and, some claimed, in psychological misery. After a lawsuit, the zoo improved Fortunate’s enclosure and invited some buddies to affix her. Fortunate died in 2022, however the zoo stated it could deliver elephants (be aware the plural) again. In 2017, throughout Fortunate’s lifetime, the zoo additionally obtained a certification from American Humane, declaring that it met “the very best requirements of animal care.” The zoo additionally facilities a lot of its public messaging round conservation efforts.
“The Kowalski Household’s outstanding generosity exemplifies their dedication to our metropolis, its individuals, and the way forward for wildlife conservation,” stated President and CEO of San Antonio Zoo Tim Morrow. “We’re deeply grateful for his or her funding in our ongoing efforts to create an distinctive visitor expertise and make sure the long-term sustainability of the zoo.”
