The Friends of the Cincinnati Zoo campaign has found an innovative twist to raise awareness about its March 4 levy vote. At the campagn's Web site, the Zoo is encouraging people to vote for the 2008 King or Queen of the Jungle. Visitors to the site can vote for one of the remaining candidates for president, then vote for one of the zoo's animals as king or queen of the jungle, and then -- and perhaps most fun of all -- match one of the animals with one of the presidential candiates and tell why.
It's all part of the campaign for the zoo's property tax renewal and increase. "We want people to learn about the zoo and support our levy," said Thane Maynard, zoo director. " And we want people to have a little fun in the process."
The tax is used to care for and feed the animals, for horticulture and maintenance of zoo facilities. The zoo produces an economic impact of nearly $125 million annually for the region, according to a University of Cincinnati study.
Writer: David Holthaus
Source: Thane Maynard, Cincinnati Zoo
Photography by Scott Beseler
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