Animal Attraction

The Party
It wasn’t lions, tigers and bears that had patrons exclaiming, “Oh, my!” Instead, as guests in tuxedos and dazzling gowns partied on Flamingo Plaza, the spotlight shone on zebras, warthogs, ibex and baboons—wildlife that will be getting a new savanna home at the Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks exhibit, soon to replace Dog and Cat Canyon, one of the oldest zones of the zoo.

The People
Talk about animal magnetism! As guests sipped Champagne, gala chairs Lisette and Mick Farrell worked the crowd, enticing bidders for the evening’s auction action, which included a luxurious South African safari and opportunities to bestow monikers on the next baby giraffe and rhino born at the Zoo’s Safari Park. A challenge match by honorary chairs Audrey Geisel and Ernest Rady also piqued paddles. The match more than doubled every dollar pledged, bringing the evening’s tally to an impressive $1.4 million.

Best in Show
Lush orchids and tropical florals helped the zoo put on the glitz at dinner. And after feasting on strawberry gazpacho, filet and a luscious chocolate dessert, guests were ready to make like true wild things, dancing until midnight to tunes from the Wayne Foster Orchestra. –Photography by Jamie Dickerson