Zoos SA delighted to receive $1 million private donation for Asian Elephant campaign

Zoos SA is delighted to have received a private donation of $1million to the ‘Help us home elephants campaign’ pushing them even closer to the original goal of raising $2.025million by the 23rd October 2023.

Elaine Bensted, Chief Executive of Zoos SA shared “the generosity we have seen has been amazing. But this $1million is really something else! We are incredibly grateful that this person has come forward and helped us in this way. While they intend to stay anonymous at the moment I can tell you that they are a huge lover of elephants.

“Being part of a legacy that will see Asian Elephants return to South Australia has really hit home with our audience. People and organisations want to play a part and be able to say in years to come that they did their bit. If you've been holding off it's now time to act.

“When Adelaide Zoo celebrated its 140th birthday so many visitors came up to me and spoke about their childhood memories. Nearly all of them talked about elephants. They’re such a spellbinding animal that they quickly become ingrained in people’s memories and hearts. That’s why playing your part in history and even getting your name or company’s name up on the elephant house will be a talking point for generations to come.

“So far there have been over 3,600 donors which is fantastic. But we know there are still plenty of proud South Aussies out there wanting to play a part in bringing Asian Elephants to South Australia! That’s why we’ve arranged one more fund matching campaign starting right now to get us to our $2.025 goal.”

The $150,000 fund matching campaign which will run until 31st August 2023 is made possible thanks to two generous donors. If the match is met it will mean Zoos SA has reached its first mammoth goal of $2.025million in just under a month!

But while the fundraising goal is (hopefully) imminent there’s still more that Zoos SA is hoping to achieve for the Asian Elephants through its Run Wild event taking place on the 21st October 2023. More news on this event and a number of exciting initiatives will follow next week.

To donate, and to find out how you and your organisation can become involved in this monumental moment in South Australia’s history, click here. 

Zoos SA is a private, not for profit charity that exists to connect people with nature and to save species from existence. Zoos SA operates Adelaide Zoo (est. 1833) and Monarto Safari Park (est. 1983).