NOTE TO MEDIA: A media kit is available here. Assets include: B-roll of Zoo Knoxville red pandas; B-roll of Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and red pandas
In honor of the Vols, Zoo Knoxville will be temporarily changing the name of its red pandas to “orange” pandas while the Columbus Zoo supports the “scarlet” pandas to back the Buckeyes
POWELL, Ohio – In the spirit of friendly competition and wildlife conservation, Zoo Knoxville and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium are putting their pride on the line ahead of the highly anticipated Tennessee-Ohio State college football playoff game this weekend.
Zoo Knoxville President and CEO Bill Street has issued a friendly wager to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium that if the Buckeyes win, he will wear Ohio State colors and the Zoo will make a donation to support any animal program of the Columbus Zoo’s choosing. However, if Tennessee is victorious, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium President and CEO Tom Schmid will wear Tennessee orange, and the Columbus Zoo will make a donation to support the conservation project that Zoo Knoxville selects.
“This is a great way to support our teams and wildlife conservation,” said Bill Street.
In response to Street's friendly wager, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium President and CEO Tom Schmid is proudly backing Ohio State and the "scarlet" pandas.
“Zoo Knoxville is great at conservation, but we’re confident the Buckeyes will secure the win on game day!” said Schmid. “While we have a little fun with this friendly competition, both of our zoos share a passion for making a difference and together we’re proud to continue our collective efforts to ensure a brighter future for red pandas and other species.”
To further showcase their Volunteer pride, Zoo Knoxville is temporarily making some changes to The Boyd Family Red Panda Village by renaming the red pandas “orange pandas.”
Both Zoo Knoxville and the Columbus Zoo have long histories with red pandas. The Columbus Zoo began housing red pandas in 1974 while Zoo Knoxville has cared for them since 1978. As one of the leaders in red panda conservation, Zoo Knoxville has welcomed over 110 red panda births and has played a key role in the Species Survival Plan (SSP), which is coordinated by Sarah Glass, Curator, Red Pandas/Program Animals/Wild Encounters at Zoo Knoxville.
Additional facts about the zoos’ red panda programs include:
- Both Zoo Knoxville and the Columbus Zoo currently house four red pandas.
- Red pandas thrive in Ohio and Tennessee’s climate, which is similar to their natural habitat in the high mountain regions of the Himalayas and China.
- As arboreal animals, red pandas prefer life high up in the trees and are known for their unique “huffquack” sound, used to intimidate or protect themselves.
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About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Home to more than 10,000 animals representing over 600 species worldwide, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads by making a positive impact on people, wildlife, and wild places. The Zoo complex is a recreational and educational destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also manages The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a wildlife conservation organization with regional, national and global impact, annually supporting conservation and research projects locally and worldwide. For more information, please visit ColumbusZoo.org.
About Zoo Knoxville
Zoo Knoxville is a nonprofit entity situated on 53 wooded acres just east of downtown Knoxville. Zoo Knoxville features exhibits of wild animals in natural habitats and is world renowned for its efforts in conservation and species survival. Zoo Knoxville is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is committed to the highest standards in animal care and well-being, ethics, conservation, and education. Knoxville’s largest attraction, the zoo is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Currently, the zoo is open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Admission and ticket sales stop one-hour before the zoo closes. For more information visit zooknoxville.org.
