BlueCross BlueShield of WNY helps keep Polar Bears in Buffalo

--BCBS Employees Donate $5,000 for Construction of New Polar Bear Habitat--

 

BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York (BCBS) presented a check in the amount of $5,000 to Donna Fernandes, President of the Buffalo Zoo to help fund the construction of the zoo’s Arctic Edge Polar Bear Habitat. The $5,000 raised by BCBS employees, is in addition to the  company’s 5-year, $50,000 commitment to the habitat. 

Thursday’s presentation took place in the cafeteria at the BCBS headquarters in front of a large group of employees to honor them for their hard work. The money was raised through grass-roots efforts including a company bake sale and loose change jars. 

Steve Swift, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and a trustee of the Buffalo Zoological Society, presented the check, along with two adorable stuffed polar bears, to Fernandes.

 “As a company we have always recognized how important the Buffalo Zoo is to our community.,” said Swift, “Our employees did a great job to support this regional asset, and especially the polar bears.”

Celebrate the Polar Bear Cubs' Birthdays at the Buffalo Zoo!

Come to a special birthday party for Luna and Kali the polar bear cubs at the Buffalo Zoo!

The event will take place on Saturday, November 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be free with regular Zoo admission.

Polar Bear Cubs Kali and Luna (June, 2013)

There will be a variety of family-friendly activities in the Zoo’s reptile house, adjacent to the cubs’ current location in the tiger exhibit. Visitors will be able to warm up with hot chocolate, play pin the bear on the iceberg, sign a birthday card for the cubs, and learn about energy conservation while decorating light switch plates to take home.  There will also be special programs in front of the cubs’ exhibit during the event. The complete schedule follows: 

• 10 a.m. – Birthday cake for the cubs
• 11 a.m. – Birthday presents for the cubs
• 11:30 a.m. – Q&A with the cubs’ keeper and second mommy, Caitlyn
• 12 p.m. – Sing “Happy Birthday” to the cubs
• 1 p.m. – Birthday presents for the cubs
• 1:30 p.m. – Q&A with the cubs’ surrogate mommy, Alice

Luna was born at the Buffalo Zoo on November 27, 2012. She was hand-raised by the Zoo’s veterinary technician and keeper staff. Kali was orphaned in the wild and brought to the Buffalo Zoo in May. He is presumed to be about a month younger than Luna. The Zoo has decided to celebrate their birthdays at the same time with this special event for visitors.

The Buffalo Zoo 2014 Wall Calendar Is Here!

The Women’s Board of the Buffalo Zoo is pleased to present the 2014 Buffalo Zoo Calendar!

The wall calendar showcases the Zoo’s animals in stunning full-color photos taken during their annual photo contest. It highlights Zoo events as well as fun facts about all of the animals pictured.

Calendars are available for $10 each and may be purchased in the Zootique gift shop, by calling (716) 995-6131, or by mail using the form below. All proceeds from the wall calendars will benefit the Zoo’s Adopt An Animal program, which provides food for the animals.

Use this form if you want to order a calendar via snail mail!

The Buffalo Zoo would like to thank our generous sponsors of the 2014 calendar:

• Baby Room
• Blue Collar / Modern Nostalgia
• Bob & Johns La Hacienda
• Colvin Market Deli and Grill
• Ettore-Winter Photography
• Fairy Cakes Cupcakery
• Fleet Feet Sports
• Johnny’s Meats & Italian Specialties
• Markheim Tropical Fish & Pet Store, Inc.
• Michael Donnelly Interior Design
• Talking Leaves Books
• TreeHouse Toy Store

Want to see your photography featured in next year's calendar? Click here for more information about the Zoo's annual photography contest.

Tickets Now Available for Breakfast with Santa!

The Buffalo Zoo invites you and your family to celebrate the holidays with Santa and the Zoo animals!

The Zoo will host its annual Breakfast with Santa events on December 14, 15, 21, and 22. There will be two seatings each day at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Prepaid, nonrefundable tickets are required due to limited seating. Ticket prices for non-members are $15 for adults and $12 for children. Members will receive a $3 discount. Children under the age of 24 months will be admitted for free.

Tickets include a buffet breakfast provided by CJ’s Catering, family-friendly activities, and a visit with Santa!

For more information, please call (716) 995-6133. You can purchase your tickets below (or click here to purchase tickets)!

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