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GIVE THE GIFT OF GRUB FOR THE HOLIDAYS THIS YEAR
TXU Energy Supports Holiday Fund Raiser for Houston Zoo Animals
Company Will Match Donations Made to Gift of Grub for the Holidays– up to $25K,Total

(11/18/2011)

(HOUSTON) November 16, 2011 … Who wants the gift of 26,000 pounds of fish? The California sea lions, bears, and pelicans at the Houston Zoo, that’s who. Each year, 365 days a year the Houston Zoo’s 6,000 animals dine on thousands of pounds of fish, meat, fruits and vegetables and millions of live crickets and other insects.

Give the ‘Gift of Grub’ this holiday season. Thanks to a generous matching gift challenge by TXU Energy, every dollar you give, now through December 31, will be doubled by the company, up to a total of $25,000. That means, if the public donates a total of $25,000, your gift could actually contribute to $50,000 worth of grub for Houston Zoo animals. That translates to twice the mealworms for our red-crowned cranes, twice the fish for our sea lions and twice the bananas and steamed yams for Aurora our baby orangutan.

The Houston Zoo’s animal family has grown significantly in the last year. The continuing widespread drought has reduced crop yields and contributed to the rising cost of many agricultural products. This year, U. S. farmers reported the smallest domestic hay crop in over a century.

Make your Gift of Grub donation online at www.houstonzoo.org/grub before December 31 and double the grub for a total campaign impact of $50,000. That’s a lot of grub, thanks to you and TXU Energy.

Food for Thought

The Houston Zoo’s animal family is large and diverse; 600 mammals, 800 birds, 500 reptiles, 400 amphibians, 4,000 fish and 4,700 invertebrates. Each day, the Zoo Commissary staff goes to work at 5 a.m. preparing and delivering animal diets that have been developed in consultation with a specialist in exotic animal nutrition. The staff works with one common goal – ensuring that every animal’s nutritional needs are met each and every day.

Gift of Grub – The Numbers

18 million – The number of crickets consumed by toads, frogs, chameleons, geckos and other Houston Zoo animals. It’s their ‘fast food’ year round.

80,000 – Heads of lettuce needed annually to stock the endless salad bar at the Houston Zoo. Giraffes are the number one customer.

10,660 – Bales of hay Houston Zoo animals munch each year. The Big Muncher Award goes annually to our Asian elephants who consume 15 bales of hay each day.

Two – The number of times your donation will count this year when you give your Gift of Grub to help feed the Zoo’s 6,000 animals. Every dollar given, now through December 31,will be doubled by TXU Energy, which will match up to $25,000 in giving to the Zoo this holiday season.

About the Houston Zoo

Founded in 1922, the Houston Zoo is an exciting live animal adventure that provides a unique educational and conservation resource serving more than 1.8 million guests annually. Set in a 55-acre lush tropical landscape, the Zoo is home to more than 6,000 exotic animals representing more than 800 species. Visitors can experience the wonders of Africa at The African Forest, the new 6.5 acre, $40 million addition featuring chimps, rhinos, and giraffes. Travel to Africa. No Passport Required.

The Houston Zoo is located at 6200 Hermann Park Drive in beautiful Hermann Park. The Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during Central Standard Time (last admission at 5 p.m.) and from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. during Central Daylight Time (last admission at 6 p.m.). The Zoo is closed Christmas Day. Regular admission is $12 for adults, $6.50 for seniors, $8 for children ages 2-11 and FREE for children under 2. Visit the courtesy booth at your neighborhood Fiesta Mart and purchase an adult Zoo admission for $10 and a child Zoo admission for $7. Zoo memberships start at only $55. For information on all the great benefits of becoming a Zoo member call (713) 533-6713 or visit our Web site at www.houstonzoo.org.

Ride METRORail to the Houston Zoo from the Fannin South Park and Ride lot. With frequent service, METRORail is a convenient answer to traffic congestion in the Texas Medical Center/Hermann Park/Museum District corridor. For METRORail information, visit www.ridemetro.org.

Operated by the not-for-profit Houston Zoo, Inc., the Houston Zoo is dedicated to the conservation of endangered species, the provision of engaging educational opportunities and the creation of stimulating exhibits that broaden the experiences of our guests and encourage their curiosity.

The Houston Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information visit www.aza.org.

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