Press Release
September 27, 2004 - For Immediate Release

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
Honored With Top National Award

The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) last week honored Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas with the Edward H. Bean Award for the “Long-term Propagation of the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri).” Fossil Rim’s Director of Operations, Bruce Williams accepted the award at the AZA’s 80th Annual Conference on behalf of the Attwater’s Recovery Team at Fossil Rim.

The AZA acknowledged Fossil Rim with this prestigious award for its 12-year commitment, and significant contributions to the recovery of this critically endangered species. Fossil Rim works in collaboration with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and 5 other Texas zoological facilities in a collective effort to raise birds in captivity and release offspring to support a current wild population of just 50 individual birds. The captive program for this species was initiated at Fossil Rim in 1992. Since that time, Fossil Rim has continued to expand its facilities and leadership commitment to the program. At any given time, 65 to 70 percent of the captive population of Attwater’s is now managed at Fossil Rim. “Winning this award is a great achievement for Fossil Rim and the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken,” says Fossil Rim Executive Director, Dr. Pat Condy. “It acknowledges Fossil Rim’s commitment to real-world wildlife conservation and our place as an important player in national species management.”

Each year, AZA presents the Bean Award in recognition of efforts by its member institutions in the long-term captive management and husbandry of various animal species. The Bean Award was established in 1956 honoring Edward H. Bean, the first director of the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago.

BACKGROUND: The AZA was founded in 1924 and currently represents 212 accredited zoos and aquariums in North America. AZA’s mission is to support membership excellence in conservation, education, science and recreation. Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is one of only six non-zoo facilities accredited by the AZA.

About Fossil Rim: The not-for-profit Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a 1,800 acre facility that specializes in captive-breeding programs for endangered and threatened animal species. Fossil Rim is located in Glen Rose, Texas, southwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. To help fund its award-winning conservation efforts, Fossil Rim operates a scenic wildlife drive that is open to the public. The 2-4 hour drive offers a unique opportunity for visitors, in all weather across all seasons, to closely observe more than 50 species of wild animals living in a near-natural environment, as well as enjoy a café and gift store. Fossil Rim partners in international species survival and recovery efforts for 14 endangered species of regional, national and international importance. Fossil Rim is approximately a one-hour drive from Fort Worth, a two-hour drive from Dallas, a three-hour drive from Austin and a four-hour drive from Houston. For more information call (254) 897-2960.

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