Minnesota Zoo to Party Down Under to Save Wildlife with 29th Annual Beastly Ball

Apple Valley, MINN – March 28, 2017 – The Minnesota Zoo will celebrate the culture and wildlife of Australia at its 29^th annual Beastly Ball, a black-tie affair, on Saturday, April 29, 2017. This dazzling, one-of-a-kind event brings together more than 550 engaged corporate and philanthropic leaders from the Twin Cities who are passionate about the Zoo’s mission to connect people, animals and the natural world to save wildlife.

This year’s theme will give a nod to the Zoo’s upcoming Kangaroo Crossing summer experience with Australian outback themed décor to bring the “land down under” up north. Guests will enjoy a delicious multi-course meal from “the barbie,” bid on enticing auction packages and encounter an array of amazing animals from our Zoomobile. This year’s special guest emcee will be KARE 11’s Sven Sundgaard, who has a shared passion for wildlife and traveled with the Zoo to Namibia in 2016 to learn more about their efforts to save the critically endangered desert black rhino.

The Beastly Ball is the Zoo’s premier fundraising event, and raises more than $500,000 annually to support Minnesota Zoo efforts to save wildlife. “We are so grateful for our amazing philanthropic community in the Twin Cities,” said Minnesota Zoo director and president, John Frawley. “This year’s Beastly Ball will raise support for the Zoo’s NEW Free to Explore program and other Zoo Unlimited initiatives. Our hope is this program and others like it will help all Minnesotans have access to the Zoo and ensure future generations of people are dedicated to saving wild animals and wild places.”

For tickets to the Beastly Ball, contact Doug Tiede at 952.431.9310 or visit mnzoo.org/beastlyball to make your reservation today!

Zoo Unlimited is a growing suite of programs and initiatives to provide access and promote diversity and inclusion at the Minnesota Zoo. For more information about the Minnesota Zoo’s Free to Explore program, visit mnzoo.org/freetoexplore.

The Minnesota Zoo is a year-round destination located in Apple Valley, just minutes south of Mall of America. The Zoo’s mission is to connect people, animals and the natural world to save wildlife. For more information, call 952.431.9500 or visit mnzoo.org. The Minnesota Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and an institutional member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).