ROYAL OAK, Mich., September 26, 2006 – The wildlife and nature photography of local real estate developer Burton D. Farbman will be showcased in a special exhibition at the Detroit Zoo’s Ford Education Center October 11 through November 30.   The Burton D. Farbman Wildlife Photo Exhibit will feature 50 to 60 images captured at the Zoo and on a Detroit Zoo-organized African safari.

The framed photographs in the exhibition as well as unframed duplicate prints will be offered for sale to the public with proceeds to benefit the Detroit Zoological Society.

“We are honored to have Burt’s amazing work on display at the Zoo,” said Detroit Zoological Society Executive Director Ron Kagan.  “His passion for photography and his love of nature and wildlife are evident in the beautiful photographs he shares with us in this exhibit.”

The Burton D. Farbman Wildlife Photo Exhibit is open during Zoo hours and is free with regular Zoo admission.

"It is a labor of love for me to display my photographs at the Detroit Zoo,” said Farbman.  “It is an institution vital to the Detroit Metropolitan Area and the entire State of Michigan, and it brings so much pleasure to so many people."

The Zoo exhibition is not the first time Farbman has used his photographic skills for philanthropic purposes.  A few years ago, he introduced the art of photography to Detroit high school students and met with them on a weekly basis to assist them in developing their own photographic skills.  In addition, his collection of photographs were exhibited and sold to raise funds for a photography lab at the new downtown Detroit YMCA.

Farbman is chairman of Farbman Group and a member of the Detroit Zoological Society Board of Directors.  He and his wife, Suzy, reside in Franklin and are the parents of Andy and David Farbman, co-presidents of Farbman Group.

The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo.  Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak.  The Detroit Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March.  Admission is $11.00 for adults 13 to 61, $9.00 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7.00 for children ages 2 to 12; children under 2 are free.  For more information, call (248) 398-0900 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.  The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March, and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks.  For more information, call (313) 852-4056. 
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