March 10, 2005
Dear Friends and Family,

2004 was an Olympic year for Bowling For Rhinos, breaking all records with over $214,000 raised! This brings our overall total to over $ 2.1 million since 1990! This is a volunteer organization so 100% of this money went directly into conservation in the field to be used on top priority needs.

Extinction is forever. Endangered means there is still time… Rhinos have lived on earth for over 50 million years. In the past, rhinos were much more diverse and widespread. Today only 5 species survive and all are under threat of extinction. Only 17,500 of these marvelous creatures survive in the wild with another 1,200 in captivity. Of these rhinos, almost two thirds are of a single subspecies: the Southern White Rhino. There are fewer than 6,000 of the other 4 species combined. Without drastic action, rhinos could be extinct in the wild within the next 10 years.

We are the drastic action...we have made progress. Without conservation organizations like The American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) and your support, many of these animals would surely be extinct today. I hope you will celebrate in knowing these magnificent animals are still thriving. It is in all of our hands to continue this work to protect these animals and have their populations return to reasonable sizes. We have made a difference and will continue to do so.

Over the past 15 years, I have had the extraordinary opportunity to see the rhino project in Kenya evolve from a 10,000 acre rhino sanctuary into the 75,000 acre Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (LWC). Lewa has become one of the most successful rhino sanctuaries in all of Africa and serves as a model for wildlife co-existing with surrounding communities.

When Anna Merz first founded the rhino sanctuary, it was a struggle to find a single rhino to restock the sanctuary. Today, there are 40 black & 42 white rhino at Lewa and they have moved several to restock other conservation areas. Lewa is also now home to nearly 30% of the world's Grevy Zebra population and a rare water antelope called Sitatunga. See http://www.lewa.org

I hope you will again consider contributing to this worthwhile cause and continue the campaign to keep these animals part of our heritage. Your tax-deductible contribution* prior to North Carolina's AAZK May 9th event would be greatly appreciated. I sincerely thank you.

Patty Pearthree
318 Montibello Dr.
Cary, NC 27513
Please make checks payable to: "AAZK, Nort Carolina"

• *If you work for a company that matches its employees' gifts, please obtain a matching gift form from your human resources office and enclose it with your contribution.
• *If you work for a company that matches its employees' gifts, please obtain a matching gift form from your human resources office and enclose it with your contribution.

 
Sincerely,

Patty Pearthree
National Bowling For Rhinos Coordinator