New York – April 8, 2015 – WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) is celebrating the 120th anniversary of its founding and has launched a city-wide social media photo safari at www.NYisWild.com to mark the occasion.

 

From now through Sept.7, participants can register at www.NYisWild.com and embark on the city-wide adventure by tagging qualifying photos of the 120 ways NY is wild with the corresponding number and the hashtag #NYisWild. (Example: Saw a sea lion having lunch @BronxZoo. #NYisWild #1 of 120. )

 WCS, with its headquarters based at the Bronx Zoo, was founded on April 26, 1895.  The organization operates the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and the New York Aquarium, and conducts field conservation programs in more than 60 nations and in all the world's oceans.

 

“Since the founding of WCS 120 years ago, we have grown into one of the world’s leading conservation organizations,” said Cristián Samper, WCS President and CEO. “For 12 decades, WCS has harnessed the expertise in its zoos and aquarium with its global field conservation programs to save wildlife and wild places. Leveraged by pivotal partnerships with governments, nonprofits and foundations, we work to protect the last of the wild around the world, including the New York-area.”

 

The photo safari’s grand prize winner will have a chance to see our conservation work in action in Belize where we are working with the community to conserve the area’s reef system and wondrous marine wildlife.

 

Said Jim Breheny, WCS Executive Vice President and General Director of WCS Zoos and Aquarium: “WCS was founded on the concept of conservation. Beginning with the Bronx Zoo’s role in the restoration of the American bison – bringing that species back from the brink of extinction – WCS’s impact on wildlife is evident in our own backyard and around the globe. The zoos and aquarium have been leaders in providing individual animals with exceptional care while helping to ensure viable populations and species sustainability for future generations. Through our history, we have hosted more than 400 million visitors, providing for many guests their only opportunity to experience wildlife."

 

Participating adventurers who register and tag 10 of the 120 photo tasks will be automatically entered to win a trip to Belize where WCS works to protect one of the most biologically diverse reefs in the world. Additionally, one of these grand prize trips will be awarded to a professional educator as to emphasize the educational importance and focus of the WCS operated zoos and aquarium.

 Other prizes for participation in the 120 Ways NY is Wild photo adventure include: a WCS premium family membership to all five parks (Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and Queens Zoo); a whale watching tour for with WCS scientists; a season pass for National Geographic Live; an opportunity to become a sea lion keeper for a day WCS’s New York Aquarium; and a weekend getaway in the Adirondacks with WCS conservationists.

 Tickets to each of the five WCS wildlife parks are discounted 20 percent at www.NYisWild.com. 120 tickets to each of the parks will be given away for free on Sunday, April 26 to mark the date of the official anniversary. The time and place of the free ticket release will be announced on Twitter at @BronxZoo. Special historical tours of the Bronx Zoo will be a part of that day’s activities.

 Contest rules and restrictions do apply. Visit www.NYisWild.com for more information and register.

 #NYisWILD

 The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays, 5:30 p.m. weekends from April to October; 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m November to March. Adult admission is $19.95, children (3-12 years old) $12.95, children under 3 are free, seniors (65+) are $17.95. Parking is $15 for cars and $18 for buses. The Bronx Zoo is conveniently located off the Bronx River Parkway at Exit 6; by train via the #2 or #5 or by bus via the #9, #12, #19, #22, MetroNorth, or BxM11 Express Bus service (from Manhattan that stops just outside the gate.) To plan your trip, visit bronxzoo.com or call 718-367-1010.

 

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) MISSION: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. VISION: WCS envisions a world where wildlife thrives in healthy lands and seas, valued by societies that embrace and benefit from the diversity and integrity of life on earth. To achieve our mission, WCS, based at the Bronx Zoo, harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in more than 60 nations and in all the world’s oceans and its five wildlife parks in New York City, visited by 4 million people annually. WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission. Visit: www.wcs.org; http://www.facebook.com/TheWCS; http://www.youtube.com/user/WCSMedia  Follow: @thewcs.  

 

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