A Jacksonville couple has made a "generous donation" to the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Garden, where they have been longtime volunteers.
Scott and Karen Fauth are "passionate supporters of wildlife conservation," according to the zoo.
"Karen and I have always been animal and plant lovers," Scott Fauth said. "They are a gift to mankind from God, and our way of giving thanks is doing what we have planned."
The amount of the donation was not made public, but it will generally help support the zoo's "mission to connect people with wildlife and wild places while advancing animal wellbeing, education and species preservation," according to the zoo.
"We are deeply grateful to Scott and Karen Fauth for their extraordinary generosity, their years of
volunteer service and their unwavering belief in the mission," said Nikki Smith, the zoo's chief philanthropy and marketing officer. "This gift will have a lasting impact."
The Fauths' "commitment reflects the very best of what philanthropy can do: turn a love for wildlife and nature into meaningful action for generations to come," Smith said.
The first project targeted for Fauth funding is the zoo's cassowary habitat expected to open in spring 2027. Cassowaries, which are endangered, are large, flightless birds native to Northeastern Australia and New Guinea.
The new "habitat will provide enhanced space designed to support the natural behavior and wellbeing of the zoo’s cassowaries, while also improving guest viewing opportunities and creating a more immersive experience for visitors," the zoo said. "The habitat will be designed with the future in mind, including the potential to support breeding efforts as part of the zoo’s broader commitment to conservation."
For more information about the zoo, go to jacksonvillezoo.org.
Beth Reese Cravey has been a reporter for The Florida Times-Union for 45 years, currently specializing in nonprofits and health. She can be reached at bcravey@jacksonville.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville couple helps fund new zoo cassowary habitat, other needs
