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(HOUSTON) December 22, 2009 … The Houston Zoo’s 2010 Call of the Wild Speaker Series resumes January 28, 2010 with a very special guest – Dr. Susie Ellis, Executive Director of the International Rhino Foundation, the leading non-governmental organization for rhino conservation in the world.

Rhinos have existed on earth for more than 50 million years.  Today, from Africa to Indonesia, all but one of the world’s 5 surviving species of rhinos is on the verge of extinction.   Join us on January 28 in the Houston Zoo’s Brown Education Center auditorium as Dr. Ellis weaves a fascinating story about a species on the brink with first hand accounts from the field of efforts to save these amazing creatures.

Dr. Susie Ellis takes a hands on approach to rhino conservation.  In fact, on January 22, just six days before her Call of the Wild Speaker Series presentation, Dr. Ellis will be returning from near two weeks of field work in Indonesia to protect the few remaining Sumatran and Javan rhinos left on earth.   

Dr. Ellis’ dedication to the mission of the International Rhino Foundation has moved people of all ages to take action for rhino conservation. Two dedicated young conservationists will be introduced and honored during Dr. Ellis’ presentation.  Eight year old Jax Bittner of Buda, Texas created his own rhino conservation Web site (www.rhino-jax.com) and has raised more than $600 for rhino conservation.  Another Texan inspired by IRF’s work, 9 year old Eva Malone has raised $400 for rhino conservation. 

Don’t miss a minute of the Call of the Wild Speaker Series with Dr. Susie Ellis and her special guests.  Ticket prices are $10 for members, $15 for non-members, and $5 for children, students and Houston Zoo volunteers.  Buy tickets on-line when you visit http://www.houstonzoo.org/lectureseries/.  

Since 2006, Dr. Susie Ellis has served as the Executive Director of the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), the leading NGO for rhino conservation worldwide. IRF protects particularly threatened rhino populations in the wild, while also supporting research on captive and wild populations to improve the chances for long-term survival.

Dr. Ellis brings more than 30 years of leadership and management experience to IRF. As Executive Director, Ellis oversees the organization’s operations, strategic planning, fundraising efforts, marketing, communications and public outreach with a diverse array of rhino conservation partners. Prior to joining IRF, Ellis served as the Vice President of Conservation International in Washington, D. C.

 

About the International Rhino Foundation
 The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to the survival of the world’s rhino species through conservation and research. The Foundation was originally organized in the late 1980s as the International Black Rhino Foundation (IBRF) in response to the intense poaching of black rhinos in Zimbabwe.

Following its success in protecting and stabilizing the country’s black rhino population, IBRF expanded its mission in 1993 to the conservation of all five rhino species in both Africa and Asia.

Today, the International Rhino Foundation focuses its efforts on the species most threatened with extinction and for which intensive protection and management are most appropriate. It targets high impact projects, and when possible, works through partners in range countries, to implement its programs. IRF also works closely with accredited zoos worldwide to benefit both zoo and wild populations of rhinos.