By Darci David
John Ball Zoo
John Ball Zoo and Celebration Cinema are announcing a community partnership coinciding with the release of The Lion King movie and Lion Day at John Ball Zoo. The partnership is to bring awareness and education towards conservation of African lions.
Africa’s lion numbers are declining. Since the original The Lion King movie was first released 25 years ago, half of Africa’s lions have been lost. Only 20,000 remain. This decline and need for increased conservation efforts are what brought JBZ and Celebration Cinema together. People and organizations are key to saving species. Together, we can find solutions that benefit people and wildlife.
Lion Day at John Ball Zoo is Saturday, July 20. Guests can learn about African lions in the wild and at the Zoo. Activities will focus on education, including learning how one person can make a conservation difference through actions both big and small. MSU’s Snares to Wares will also be onsite to talk about their work improving human livelihood and protecting wildlife in and around the village of Pakwach, Uganda.
John Ball Zoo guests are also encouraged to watch The Lion King at Celebration Cinema. The first 2,000 Zoo guests through the gate on July 20 will receive a coupon good at any Celebration Cinema location for a free popcorn with paid admission to The Lion King.
“We are excited to be partnering with Celebration Cinema,” said John Ball Zoo’s Chief Development & Community Engagement Officer Michael Lomonaco. “Lion conservation is an important initiative for the Zoo and Celebration Cinema supports our work. The release of The Lion King provides a great opportunity to partner and bring public awareness in order to engage our community in conservation efforts that help save the lives of endangered species such as lions.”
The Lion King movie at Celebration Cinema opens the same weekend on Friday, July 19. The “live action” movie features animals of the African savanna, many of which can be seen at John Ball Zoo; including – African lion, warthog, Southern Ground hornbill, and coming in the future Meerkats.
The partnership makes seeing the Zoo’s African animals easier too. People can receive 50 percent off a paid admission at the Zoo with proof of admission to The Lion King at Celebration Cinema.
For cinema locations and to purchase The Lion King tickets online, visit Celebration Cinema at celebrationcinema.com. Details on Lion’s Day at John Ball Zoo can be found at jbzoo.org/lionday.
