Electric research station opens at El Paso Zoo

Submitted by El Paso Zoo
2011-05-06 11:49:17

The El Paso Electric Kalahari Research Station at the El Paso Zoo celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, April 23rd. The Research Station is a popular destination for young El Pasoans who visit the Zoo. It is the Zoo's first energy exhibit featuring a renewable energy system of solar photovoltaic panels and a wind turbine generator plus live animals from Africa. The wind turbine is the first wind turbine generator installed in the city of El Paso.

The Research Station is a partnership between the Zoo and El Paso Electric. The project was funded by monies from EPE's Voluntary Renewable Energy Tariff. It was designed to help Zoo visitors experience a real research station in Africa where they could also learn about renewable energy. It was named Kalahari for the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa where most of the animals in the Africa section of the Zoo are found in the wild.

"El Paso Electric's involvement with this project demonstrates our commitment to renewable energy as well as to the importance of educating the public on these alternative energy resources," said Richard Fleager, El Paso Electric Senior Vice President of Customer Care and External Affairs. "It is our hope that this education center will serve as a tool for the next generation to learn more about and to advance the technology of renewable energy."

"My favorite thing about the Station is that it seems that you have walked into a real place where wildlife researchers live and work", said Steve Marshall Zoo Director, "There may be a soccer game playing on the old TV and researcher's notes on the wall about ordering supplies, recent wildlife sightings, and needing a ride into town. It turned out just the way our staff envisioned it."

The El Paso Zoo opens daily at 9:30 am and the ticket booth closes at 4:00pm. For more information call (915) 521-1850.

The El Paso Zoo is a thirty five-acre home to about 228 species of animals. Approximately 420 mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds, 100 fish and 300 invertebrates live in a variety of natural habitat exhibits including a Reptile House, South American Pavilion, Americas Aviary, Cisneros Paraje, Birds of Prey, Forest Atrium, Asian Grasslands and an Elephant Complex. The El Paso Zoo is a member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation.
<a href="http://www.elpasozoo.org/">http://www.elpasozoo.org/</a>

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