ROYAL OAK, Mich., June 25, 2007 – The Detroit chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) will host its 18th annual “Bowling for Rhinos” bowl-a-thon on Saturday, July 28, at Cloverlanes Bowl in Livonia.  Nationally, “Bowling for Rhinos” raises over $200,000 each year for the conservation of endangered rhinos.  

A family-friendly event will be held at 3 p.m., which includes bowling, a tin can raffle, cookie walk and coloring contest.  The traditional bowl-a-thon gets underway at 7 p.m. with bowling, a silent auction and 50/50 raffle.  Bowlers may register individually or form a team of four to five.  The registration fee is $5, which includes shoe rental, two games, pizza and soft drinks.  

Registration forms and fees should be received by July 21, 2007, as space is limited.  Anyone who is unable to attend the event but would like to sponsor rhino conservation can visit www.aazkdetroit.org to make a donation. 

Bowlers are asked to collect sponsor money of a minimum $20 for adults and $10 for children.  All donations are tax deductible.  Bowlers who raise over $50 will receive a “Bowling for Rhinos” T-shirt and those who raise over $100 will receive the T-shirt and a rhino beanbag animal. 

Each year, over 40 AAZK chapters throughout the United States participate in “Bowling for Rhinos,” raising over $2.5 million nationally since 1990.  The Detroit Zoological Society zookeepers have done their part, raising over $100,000.  Last year’s Detroit event raised $18,000.  One hundred percent of the proceeds directly benefit three rhino conservation projects in Africa and Asia.

Cloverlanes Bowl is located at 28900 Schoolcraft Rd. in Livonia, off the I-96 service drive at Middlebelt Rd.  Further information on “Bowling for Rhinos” is available by calling (248) 541-5717 ext. 3000 or emailing aazk@detroitzoo.org.

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 – with extended hours until 8 p.m. Wednesdays during July and August – 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) 541-5717 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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