Image credit: Adrian Mann
Zoos SA’s online auction has one humungous fundraising goal – hippos!
It is Zoos SA’s hope that the waterholes in the soon-to-open Wild Africa safari area will become home to a host of hefty herbivores.
“Many South Australians will have fond memories of seeing hippos Brutus and Susie at Adelaide Zoo. Now, we want to showcase this incredible species at Monarto Safari Park where they will roam and graze the plains as well as wallowing in the waterholes,” said CE of Zoos SA, Elaine Bensted,.
“We hope housing hippos at Monarto Safari Park will continue the story that Brutus and Susie helped us to start – the story of the vulnerable Nile Hippopotamus.
“It is here that we will inspire both old and new generations to love this species and become invested in their long-term survival.”
The online auction, which has a new release of items today and runs until World Hippo Day (Feb 15), features once-in-a-lifetime experiences, luxury dining packages, animal artwork and exclusive items. It’ll help Zoos SA raise the much-needed funds for securing the hippos.
“Seeing hippos on the horizon at Monarto Safari Park is no small feat, we will need additional staff and to build facilities to accommodate these hefty herbivores,” Elaine said.
Included in the auction is the launch of a specially-crafted botanic gin by Hahndorf-based Ambleside Distillers.
Named Kiboko, meaning Hippopotamus in Swahili, the gin features Passion Berry, Muntries, Tanami Apple and Rosella picked from Monarto Safari Park’s bush garden and complemented with locally grown pomegranate and citrus.
“We have supported Zoos SA for a number of years,” said Trudy Dickson of Ambleside Distillers.
“We recognise the importance of supporting conservation and have previously produced Kifaru gin (meaning rhinoceros in Swahili) featuring Monarto Safari Park botanicals. We often get requests for limited release Kifaru Gin and a few of these will be available too,” finished Trudy.
Ambleside’s auction VIP package includes a private signing of a bottle of Ambleside’s new Kiboko gin, an exclusive tour of the Still Room, a gin and tonic and food package for two adults valued at $100 and a family pass to Monarto Safari Park.
For those that don’t win Ambleside’s auction item, a limited release of 300 bottles of Kiboko gin will be exclusively available from Ambleside’s Tasting Bar in Hahndorf (from late March). All profits from the sales of Kiboko will go towards Zoo SA.
Other items in the second wave of the auction include tickets to see Crowded House, Adelaide Oval accommodation, Kaesler Wine, Seppelt Para Liqueur, a Koala painting, Alpha H skincare, wine, and animal experiences.
To bid and to find out more about supporting hippo conservation through Zoos SA’s online auction visit here.
Zoos SA is proud to be part of the conservation efforts to ensure the survival of such a beautiful species. Book your tickets at either location here.
Adelaide Zoo is a double-vaccinated venue, and patrons 16 years and older must provide proof they’ve received a TGA-approved vaccination upon entry.
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