The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance had a wildly successful celebration at the 134th Rose Parade presented by Honda in Pasadena this past Monday. The organization’s float — titled “Celebrating 50 Years of Conservation” — commemorated the 50th anniversary of San Diego Zoo Safari Park and took home the Animation Award for its display.
The float depicted animals supported by the zoo’s efforts. This included Neville, a 4-month-old southern white rhino, and his mother Livia — a duo helping in ongoing efforts to save the distantly related northern white rhino. There was also Msituni, a giraffe born with limb differences that hindered her ability to walk — but she persevered.
Similar sights are common at Safari Park, but the display truly made heads turn as the rhinos looked back and forth at onlookers and the giraffes took drinks from a flowing waterfall. The organization hopes its participation in the event will bring awareness to its conservation efforts.
