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Community Corner

Photos: San Diego Zoo's Supporters Go Wild for the Outback

The San Diego Zoo held its 29th annual fundraiser Saturday night with several hundred guests.

Nearly 850 guests came to the San Diego Zoo Saturday night for its 29th annual gala called the Rendezvous In The Zoo or RITZ. The theme this year was Zoomerang Down Under with the beneficiary being the new Conrad Prebys Australian Outback and the zoo’s koala conservation efforts.

It’s estimated that more than $1.5 million was netted from this event thanks in large part to honorary RITZ chair Audrey Geisel. Geisel matched any donation two for one up to $1 million!

Guests started the evening after being swarmed on the red carpet by ‘paparazzi.’

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Past the flashbulbs was the reception with lavish hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, and mixing amongst zoo trainers and specially selected animal guests.

Among the standouts speakers was the San Diego Zoo’s conservation ambassador Joan Embery. He introduced and educated patrons on a multitude of animals.

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Guests from La Jolla enjoying the festivities included Christine and Craig Andrews, Dianne and Jim Bashor, Lisa and David Casey, Diane Clarke and Dan Moore, Karen and Don Cohn, Valerie and Harry Cooper, Joy and Jim Furby, Cathleen and Colin Haggerty, Jeanne and Bill Larson, Place Tegland, Pat and Bob Whalen, and Emma and Leo Zuckerman.

The evening continued with a dinner by the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, a live auction, and dancing to the Wayne Foster Orchestra.

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