Assembly Resolution No. 2000

BY: M. of A. Alvarez

COMMENDING the Bronx Zoo upon the occasion of
kicking off its 125th Anniversary celebration on
April 18, 2024

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the
continuing welfare of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly
enriched and reliably served by the purposeful endeavors of those
organizations within our midst that strive to enhance the quality of
life in their communities by promoting wildlife conservation, science,
and community engagement; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Bronx Zoo upon the occasion of kicking off its 125th
Anniversary celebration on Thursday, April 18, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Planned festivities to celebrate this momentous occasion
include the opening of "Animal Chronicles," an immersive new exhibit
which leads visitors through a quarter-mile ADA-accessible walking trail
that includes 68 eco-sculptures displayed across 13 scenes; each scene
tells the tale of how the zoo became a leader in caring for animals,
saving endangered species, designing exhibits that connect people to
nature, and protecting wildlife around the world; and

WHEREAS, This opening event will feature an exclusive preview of the
new exhibit and unveil a series of themed weekend activities celebrating
the Zoo's success stories in saving species over the past 125 years; all
will get a preview of weekend entertainment elements including music,
dance performances, and wildlife puppetry; and

WHEREAS, The Bronx Zoo, located on 265 acres of hardwood forest in
the Bronx, New York, opened on November 8, 1899; it is world-renowned
for its leadership in the areas of animal welfare, husbandry, veterinary
care, education, science, and conservation; and

WHEREAS, The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and
Aquariums (AZA) and is the flagship park of the Wildlife Conservation
Society (WCS) which manages the world's largest network of urban
wildlife parks including the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park
Zoo, Queens Zoo, and New York Aquarium; and

WHEREAS, The curators and animal care staff at the Bronx Zoo work
passionately and unrelentingly to save, propagate, and sustain
populations of threatened and endangered species; this work is paramount
to maintaining biodiversity as these species often have an effect on
soil formation, decomposition, water filtration and flow, pollination,
pest control, climate regulation, and various other environmental
factors; and

WHEREAS, The Bronx Zoo has educated and inspired more than 400
million visitors at its zoos and aquarium since its opening and host
approximately 4 million guests at its parks each year, including about a
half-million students annually; and


WHEREAS, The Bronx Zoo is the largest youth employer in the borough
of the Bronx, providing opportunities and help to transform lives in one
of the most under-served communities in the nation; the Bronx Zoo is the
subject of "THE ZOO," a docuseries aired world-wide on Animal Planet;
and

WHEREAS, The Bronx Zoo, with over 125 years of proud history and
purposeful endeavors, remains today as a preeminent example of our
understanding of, and appreciation for, the precious wildlife which
comprise the bounty of nature and the beauty of our environment; this
zoo has brought untold delight and useful knowledge to millions of
citizens and visitors from abroad; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Bronx Zoo upon the occasion of kicking off its 125th
Anniversary celebration on April 18, 2024; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Bronx Zoo.