Python makes lengthy appearance at fundraiser for endangered wildlife

It was all about the animals. The Fallbrook Golf Club and Hukilau restaurant were overflowing on Saturday evening, September 15, with guests with one goal in mind: animal conservation. Zoofari, a Bonsall-based nonprofit organization, held a Safari Soirée to raise funds to benefit Cheetah Conservation Botswana. Funds raised will also be directed toward Zoofari, which is devoted to the conservation of cheetahs as well as other endangered wildlife.

Jackie Navarro founded Zoofari, which is the nonprofit arm of Wild Wonders, in 1991. They actively support various research and conservation projects around the world, including the Botswana organization, and are also dedicated to providing permanent homes for abandoned or displaced animals.

Amid the beat of African drums, various exotic birds and mammals visited with the Safari Soirée guests. Led up a path lined with exotic-looking pampas grass, the revelers were joined by an Albino Burmese Python here and a Binturong there. The elegant python made a rather lengthy appearance. This snake weighs 75 pounds and the trainer had him wrapped around his body like a stole. The skin has the appearance, as well as the smooth feel, of a cool tile floor.

Cheetah Karoo, Wild Wonders’ newest Animal Ambassador, made his public debut at a photo shoot early in the evening. Karoo can go from zero to forty-five miles per hour in two seconds, but during the photo shoot he sat docilely on the table and didn’t flinch at the many flashes going off in the room.

Karoo is just one year old and was hand-raised from the day he was born. Navarro said that she is very excited to have Karoo as the new Animal Ambassador and to be able to highlight the endangered status of the cheetahs. The “cheetahs are disappearing for three reasons: habitat destruction, predators and human conflict,” she said. Navarro said that she hopes once people hear “the rumble of that purr…and get to look into his eyes, it will really inspire people to want to help cheetahs in the wild.”

Vendors selling animal-related items such as artwork and jewelry donated a portion of their proceeds to cheetah conservation or Zoofari. Bouquet of Fruits, a Fresno-based business that sells chocolate-dipped strawberries, donated one hundred percent of its proceeds to cheetah conservation. Selling the luscious chocolate-covered strawberries for $2.50 each, the organization’s table was a popular one. Cougar Winery of Fallbrook didn’t even have to alter their cat print logo for the event and offered wine tasting for guests.

In addition to a wonderful buffet of Hawaiian chicken and Hukilau’s famous mango salsa, among other fare, the guests at the fundraiser were given a complimentary copy and subscription to the magazine Wildlife Art, which is published locally in Ramona.

During a presentation of “Animal Ambassadors” a Binturong from Indonesia happily ate a banana while Navarro explained to the audience that this animal has a scent which is akin to “hot buttered popcorn” and a trail of this scent helps him to find his way back home. Amid “oohs” and “aahs,” an African Serval Cat, which is a bit larger than a bobcat, made his presence known with a brief baring of his sharp teeth.

Navarro told a tale of the struggles of the cheetah conservation efforts. The workers at Cheetah Conservation Botswana had hand-raised three orphan cheetah cubs, then when they were ready, released them into the wild. After just three months all three of the cubs had been shot to death. Navarro said that she feels that Zoofari has “a moral and ethical right” to raise funds for the cause.

I hope that they make the Safari Soirée an annual event. The animals put on a great show, the guests enjoyed themselves and the rapidly vanishing species of cat called the cheetah was greatly benefited.

Wild Wonders/Zoofari

http://www.wildwonders.org

(760) 630-9230

Cheetah Conservation Botswana

http://www.cheetahbotswana.com