The members of the head table marched in to the musical accompanyment of Manon Mitchell and Michael Pierson, who played The Lion Sleeps Tonight. Following President Tim Heaton's call to order, Michael and Maon led us in the singing of O Canada. This week's invocation was delivered by Marc Stachiw, who was also this week's greeter.

 

President Tim thanked our front entrance volunteers: John Seigner, Liam Pattermore and Bruce Millar. For this week's sing-song,

President Tim played Bill Staines' A Place in the Choir.

 

 

 

 

President Tim reminded us that there are still tickets available for the Rotary Fellowship road trip to Banff. In addition to attending a new dance theatre work by acclaimed Norwegian choreographer and director Alan Lucien Øyen, this event includes motor coach transportation to Banff, a tour of the Banff Centre, and a reception in the Kinnear Centre; all this for only $75.

 

Manon Mitchell provided an update on the preparations for the UnGala fundraiser on September 18. So far 13 of the 40 tables have been sold, and the purchasers of these tables will have the best seats in the house. Manon put out a call for all club members to think about providing items for the silent auction, which will account for most of the event's fundraising proceeds.

 

Another upcoming fundraising event is the 13^th Calgary Airport Tournament of Diamonds and Shoot-Out that will take place on August 29. This golf tournament is a primary fundraiser for Calgary's Rotary Challenger Park and Renfrew Educational Services.

 

 

 

Maxine Morrison introduced our speaker Dr. Clément Lanthier, President and CEO of the Calgary Zoo. Dr. Lanthier's presentation focused on the zoo's initiatives in the areas of wildlife conservation and the reintroduction of endangered species. However, before launching into the main part of his presentation, he took a moment to acknowledge the many contributions of club member Murray Young to the zoo and its board.

 

The zoo's importance to the city can be easily seen by considering a few key statistics. Total visitation to the zoo in 2017 was 1.2 million, with approximatly 600,000 of these coming from out of town. Although it receives an $8 million annual grant from the City of Calgary, 86 per cent of its operating budget is self-funded. The zoo employs a staff of 600, which represents a considerable contribution to the city's economy.

 

Dr. Lanthier emphasized the importance of acting locally. Noting that through the efforts of the zoo, local ranchers, and the Department of National Defence (DND), swift foxes and burrowing owls have been reintroduced in Alberta. Internationally, the conservation status of the giant panda was changed in 2016 from "endangered" to "vulnerable". All of this illustrates the important role that zoos play in wildlife conservation.

 

 

The Calgary Zoo is an active participant in several elements of the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan (SSP) program, which the association started in 1981 to help ensure the survival of selected species in zoos and aquariums.

 

The Calgary has been a significant contributor to a number of successful international conservation initiatives. These successes include the establishment of the Wechia Community Hippo Sanctuary (WCHS), and initive that won the 2008 UN Equator Prize, which is awared in recognition of outstanding community efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

 

Building on it successes in Wechia (Ghana), in addition to its efforts in Alberta and British Columbia, the zoo is now contributing to efforts in Madagascar to help conserve one of the world's most endangerered primates, the lemur.

 

 

After a lively Q&A session, Bill Andrew thanked our speaker.