For Release: April 20, 2004
Media only:
Peper Long 
202-673-0206
Carolyn Martin 202-673-0209
Media Advisory
What
Groundbreaking to launch the Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat and Asia
Trail
When
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
11:30 a.m.
Where
Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park
Ceremony will take place on the construction site of the Fujifilm Giant
Panda Habitat
3001 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Press parking in Bus Lot – Microwave trucks please call for specific instructions
Who
- Lawrence M. Small, Secretary, Smithsonian Institution
- Dr. Lucy Spelman, Director, National Zoological Park
- Stanley Freimuth, Executive Vice President and COO, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc.
- Thomas D. LaRock, Executive Director, Friends of the National Zoo
This April 28 groundbreaking marks the official launch of the National Zoo’s 10-year revitalization that will begin with the Asia Trail – a new section of the Zoo highlighting animals native to Asia. The Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat will anchor the first phase of Asia Trail. Joining the giant pandas along Asia Trail will be sloth bears, fishing cats, clouded leopards, red pandas and giant salamanders (a new species for the Zoo). When complete in 2006, Asia Trail will renovate nearly a quarter of the Zoo’s public exhibit space.
The Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat will nearly double the outdoor space for the Zoo’s giant pandas, and will also include new visitor exhibits with video and interactive media. The Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat is named for its primary donor, Fujifilm.
Among the guests invited to the outdoor ceremony will be the Zoo’s advisory boards, Fujifilm executives, members of Friends of the National Zoo, members of Congress and community leaders.
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