2009-03-03: National Water Week celebration

2009-03-03: National Water Week celebration

Working title: National Water Week celebration at the Johannesburg Zoo with Zakumi and the 2008 Miss Earth South Africa.

The Johannesburg Zoo celebrates National Water Week from 4-6 March at the Johannesburg Zoo. The Johannesburg Zoo with its partners will be joined by the 2008 Miss Earth South Africa and Zakumi, the official 2010 FIFA mascot. The Johannesburg Zoo invited the two ambassadors to convey water conservation messages to the society at large due to the large support they both enjoy.

Part of the Johannesburg Zoo mandate is conservation. National Water Week, which the Johannesburg Zoo celebrates annually, forms parts of the celebrations to promote conservation. A substantial number of visitors participating in these conservation days show their interest in a better world for all.

The National Water Week at the Johannesburg Zoo is about raising awareness about water. It has been argued that water is one of the prime elements responsible for life on earth, and a finite commodity, yet most people take its availability for granted. According to the United Nations (UN) 2008 Developmental goals report, water use has grown at more than twice the rate of the population for the past century and although there is no global water shortage yet, the growing population, urbanisation and deteriorating climate conditions, may lead to some form of water scarcity in the coming decades. Even now, half of the world’s population is experiencing some form of water scarcity, the UN stated.

Africa has made some progress towards achieving the United Nations Millennium water related goals, according to the United Nations. The Johannesburg Zoo believes that it can make a positive contribution by alerting South Africans about the issues and challenges facing sustainable water supply and encourage zoo visitors to use water efficiently and responsibly.

The Johannesburg Zoo invited two thousand school children to join the celebrations. The young visitors will see and experience the importance of water as they learn about marine life, how to identify safe drinking water and various ways of saving water. They will visit the various water features and the nursery in the zoo. The Johannesburg Zoo hopes that the activities will inspire the children to use water responsibility and encourage children to participate in the conservation of the natural resource.

Issued by the Johannesburg Zoo, on 2 March 2009. For more information please contact Letta Madlala, Brand & Communications Manager: Johannesburg Zoo on tel: 011 646 2000 ext 225 mobile 083 401 5096 or e-mail [email protected]. 2009.