Animals all over the world need our help to keep thriving. In an ever-changing environment, more and more animals are faced with moving into man made habitats. Some of these habitats are hosted on reservations to keep these creatures safe. Others are kept in zoos so there can be round the clock monitoring as well as letting the public visit. When people get to see the great wonders of nature, they’re much more inclined to help out. That could be part of how the San Antonio Zoo got things rolling with their recent large donation.
The gorillas need a new home and one single donor saw that it would happen for them. From just one foundation’s generosity, the zoo received $10M to complete the project of building the largest gorilla habitat in the US. Once done, the primates will have a luxurious space to grow old in. It’s amazing to see one person care so much that they make good use of their monetary capabilities. Even animals need us to support them sometimes, so we have to come together to make sure nature’s wild life is taken care of. Who sent such a large check to the gorillas? The Ralston Family Charitable Foundation is the reason the San Antonio gorillas will have a fresh, new home.
Shannon Ralston, the founder of the family’s charity, donated to the San Antonio Zoo with a goal in mind. She wanted to create a better space for families and loved ones to spend more time together while making memories together. Family clearly means a lot to her because she chose to support the gorillas who have their own families to care for. Shannon used to bring her own children to the zoo, so she is very familiar with the joy that comes from seeing creatures of nature. Her goal is to make sure generations throughout the future get the same joyful opportunities at the San Antonio Zoo as she had with her family.
In addition to providing a new habitat for the gorillas, the large charitable donation will also go toward other things in the zoo. The front entrance to the zoo will be redone and a new event center will be added. The San Antonio Zoo and the Ralston family expect upgrades to begin this year. You’ll see the entryway finished by December while the gorilla habitat and event center will finish in 2025. Keep up on the good news if you enjoy the zoo, gorillas, or watching positive impacts in general.