TORONTO ZOO ANNOUNCES GIANT PANDA CUBS FIRST BIRTHDAY FUNDRAISING DINNER

The Toronto Zoo hosted a media event to announce that the Zoo and, long-time community partner, the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto (CCCGT), will be co-hosting a fundraising dinner on Saturday, October 15, 2016 to celebrate the first birthday of the giant panda cubs. This dinner is supported by the Consul General, People’s Republic of China in Toronto and the presenting sponsor for this milestone event is the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). This evening will not only celebrate the birthday of giant panda cubs, Jia Panpan and Jia Yueyue, but will also raise funds towards establishing a new fund at the Toronto Zoo to support endangered species native to China.

The October event is more than a birthday celebration. It is also to celebrate the success of the global giant panda conservation program. Thanks to a number of government, accredited zoos, and non-governmental organizations, the giant panda was recently removed from the endangered list by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In addition to the outstanding support from RBC and Compass Group Canada, we are grateful for the generous support of the individuals and organizations sponsoring a limited number of VIP tables. We will also be welcoming our key partners from China who will be in attendance to celebrate Jia Panpan and Jia Yueyue’s first birthday.

“We are proud of the past year’s exciting journey with the giant panda cubs and are delighted to be celebrating their first birthday,” said John Tracogna, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Zoo.  “We are also thankful for the generous support of our community partner, the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto and presenting event sponsor the Royal Bank of Canada. This event would not have been made possible without their commitment and generosity.”

“I’m so pleased that we’re celebrating such a wonderful milestone, and at a time where these incredible animals have just been removed from the endangered species list,” said Judy Lee, Vice President, Commercial Financial Services, RBC. “The Toronto Zoo has done an incredible job with these two Pandas, and we are proud to celebrate the occasion with the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto.”

“The arrival of the two giant panda on 2013 has created a huge opportunity for promoting friendship and understanding between the people of Canada and China,” said Dr. Ming Tat Cheung, Chairman and President Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto. “Subsequent successful breeding of the two giant panda cubs proves that cooperation of the Toronto Zoo and zoos in China has taken us to another level on scientific research on endangered animals’ reproduction. The Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto is proud to have been a part of this great achievement.”

Since the arrival of Da Mao and Er Shun in 2013, more than 3.8 million people have visited the Toronto Zoo.  During this time, visitors have learned about our efforts to not only save and protect giant pandas, but many other species and their habitats at home and abroad. It has truly been an honour to be a partner in the global panda conservation breeding program. The giant pandas, including the giant panda cubs, will move to the Calgary Zoo in early 2018.

A limited number of tables are still available for this milestone event. To purchase a table please contact:

Nicole Singh – Executive Assistant – Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Zoo
nsingh@torontozoo.ca or #416-392-5910

Gary Chan – Chinese Culture Centre of Greater Toronto
gary.chan@cccgt.org or or (416) 292-9293 ext 229

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Media Contacts:

Cynthia Shipley, Manager of Public Relations and Events, Toronto Zoo
cshipley@torontozoo.ca or #416-392-5938

Amanda Chambers, Public Relations and Events Associate, Toronto Zoo
achambers@torontozoo.ca or #416-392-5974

Denise Yan, Event Manager, Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto
denise.yan@cccgt.org or (416) 292-9293 ext 224 or (647) 226-8833