Philadelphia, PA: March 02, 2005 – Philadelphia Zoo President Pete Hoskins and sixth-grader Allyson Marshall of Copper Beech Elementary School in Glenside today urged cell-phone users and companies from throughout the Delaware Valley to help protect the environment by recycling used cell phones instead of throwing them in the trash, where their harmful materials such as lead, mercury and cadmium can leak into the environment.

“Folks in the United States discard an estimated 130 million cell phones every year,” said Hoskins. “Today, we’re asking everyone to ‘Return the Call of the Wild’ by bringing your used cell phones to the Zoo to be recycled. You’ll not only help keep the environment clean, you’ll also help the Zoo raise money to protect critically endangered primates. We’re thankful for the initiative of Zoo supporters like Allyson Marshall, who already have their efforts under way.”

“Return the Call of the Wild” is the Philadelphia Zoo’s Docent Council’s effort to raise awareness about the effects of cell phones on the environment and to offer a solution. To date, Zoo-goers have delivered more than 600 cell phones to the Zoo, raising over $1100 for the Endangered Primate Rescue Center in Vietnam, a conservation project supported by the Zoo.

Cell phones contain many toxic substances, such as arsenic and cobalt. In landfills, toxins often escape into the environment, contaminating natural resources and polluting wildlife habitat. These poisons can travel through animal and human food chains causing birth defects, neurological damage and cancer.

The Philadelphia Zoo receives cash back on all recycled cell phones, some of which are re-used as emergency phones for victims of domestic abuse or redistributed into developing markets such as Latin America for first-time, low-income users. Funds go to the Endangered Primate Rescue Center, a nonprofit organization working to conserve endangered primates in Vietnam, home of the beautiful douc langur monkey, one of the most-endangered primates in the world.

The Philadelphia Zoo is the only zoo in the country currently exhibiting douc langurs. They can be seen at the Dodge Rare Animal Conservation Center and are a featured animal in the Zoo’s upcoming summer attraction, Zoozapalooza: Search for Treasure, starting April 28.

"Return the Call of the Wild" collection boxes are located before the Zoo’s main entrance at North Gate, inside the Dodge Rare Animal Conservation Center and near PECO Primate Reserve.
To find out more about the Philadelphia Zoo’s conservation programs or to buy tickets to the Zoo, visit the Zoo’s website at www.philadelphiazoo.org. Contact the Zoo’s docent office at 215-243-5317 or by email at dcouncil@phillyzoo.org for information on how you can join the Zoo’s Return the Call of the Wild project by collecting cell phones at your school or business.

America’s first zoo and one of the region’s foremost conservation organizations, the Philadelphia Zoo is home to more than 1,500 animals, many of which are rare and endangered. The Zoo, fulfilling its mission of conservation, science, education and recreation, supports and engages in conservation efforts to protect endangered species around the world. The Philadelphia region’s leading family destination, the Zoo welcomed nearly 1.2 million visitors last year. The Philadelphia Zoo is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.

© 2005 Philadelphia Zoo