Bowling for Rhinos is AAZK’s biggest conservation effort. There are a number of people that are the true heroes in making AAZK's Bowling For Rhinos-sponsored by Blue Rhino successful. Year after year, they tirelessly organize their event with little recognition. Their reward is knowing that they are helping to conserve wildlife worldwide.

Now AAZK, Lewa and Anna Merz would like to recognize these dedicated members by rewarding them with a chance to see first hand the results of their dedication. Anna Merz has offered to host an individual and a companion, if they wish, for one week at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya. The winner's expenses would be paid and the companion would need to be able to stay in the same room as the winner. The companion would need to pay travel expenses. Travel would occur in October.

Winners must be AAZK members in good standing. These trips will be awarded on an as needed basis by the Board of Directors.

Rules for Honorary Bowling For Rhinos Trip Winner

• Travel will occur the following year in October. This coincides with Anna Merz's trip to Lewa for the fall Lewa Board meeting.
• Anna will "host" the trip winners which entails paying all their expenses at Lewa (except souvenirs & tips) for one week.
• The cost for the trip winner's plane fare, transport cost & hotel in Nairobi (roughly $2,000-$2,250) will be covered by Lewa. AAZK Inc. will hold back $2,250 from the total BFR amount sent to Lewa in order to cover these costs.
• Recommendations for trip winners will be made by Patty Pearthree to the AAZK BOD. Patty may solicit recommendations from AAZK members in case there are deserving members of which she is unaware.
• Winner will sign a "holds harmless" waiver for AAZK, Inc. prior to travel.

2007 Honorary Trip Winner

Virgil Baird is the first recipient of this trip. Virgil has organized the Toledo Zoo’s Bowling For Rhinos events since 1990 and has raised nearly $50,000 for conservation worldwide. His tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed in the conservation field and so it is with great pride that I announce Virgil be awarded with a free one week trip to visit Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya in October, 2008. He and a companion will be hosted by Anna Merz on their one week adventure to be first hand observers of the wildlife that benefits from Virgil’s hard work and dedication. Congratulations Virgil for a job well done year after year.