The American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) Jacksonville chapter a subset of a national non-profit organization dedicated to advancing animal care, promoting public awareness, enhancing professional development, and contributing to local and global conservation through fundraising and stewardship.
Started in 1990, Bowling for Rhinos is a national, annual event that protects threatened and endangered rhinos and all the other flora and fauna living in their habitats in Africa and Indonesia. Across the nation, BFR has raised over $9 million for wildlife conservation, with our local chapter raising over $225,000 alone. Funds raised support Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, International Rhino Foundation conservation projects in Asia, and Action for Cheetahs in Kenya. Across these three landscapes, BFR helps to protect over 1 million acres of wildlife habitat and communities! These efforts include wildlife anti-poaching protection, water projects, community educational centers, and health care initiatives.
Bowling for Rhinos is an important protection entity over the five remaining rhino species. Their populations have declined from 500,000 rhinos at the beginning of the 20th century to 28,000 today, with the most endangered species having under 100 remaining individuals. This decline is primarily due to poaching and habitat fragmentation.
