Georgia Southern University Hosts Third Annual Wildlife WinterFest

December 4, 2012

The Center for Wildlife Education and The Lamar Q. Ball, Jr. Raptor Center at Georgia Southern University will host the third annual Wildlife WinterFest on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. at 1461 Forest Drive.

For the second consecutive year, Wildlife WinterFest will feature Brian Staples and his exotic animals in the Staples Safari Zoo. It includes monkeys from around the world, a 500 pound white tiger, a lion and a black panther. “Brian does such a good job bringing forth these animals but also talking about their natural history and explaining why some species are in peril, why it’s important and why we should care here in Georgia,” said Steve Hein, director of the Center. “It’s a continuum of what we do each and every day.”

During Wildlife WinterFest, families can roam the 17 acres of the Center and learn about animals and plants native to Georgia and the Statesboro area. In addition to several performances with his animals, Staples will also perform a magic show. Wildlife WinterFest also features holiday music and Santa Claus.

“The Wildlife Center was built upon bringing man and nature together, and this traveling exhibit is a continuum of that as well,” said Hein. “Visitors will have the opportunity to get about as close as they  want to some really fabulous and exotic wildlife.”

The goal of Wildlife WinterFest is to encourage families to develop a lifelong love of wildlife. “Brian has a great message,” said Hein. “The animals he has rescued have been injured or abandoned. So it has a good purpose there. Every element of his show ties it back to the animals and their need for protection and education.”

Admission to Wildlife Winterfest is $5 per adult, $3 per child (ages 3-11) and free for children ages two and under. For more information on Wildlife Winterfest, visit www.georgiasouthern.edu/wildlife.

Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 120 degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement.  In 2011, the University was named one of the Top 10 most popular universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report and is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars.  Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.