DROP OFF YOUR DISCARDED STRANDS OF HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT THE ZOO!
Lighting up the night to celebrate the holidays can also help save wild animals. Those old strings of holiday lights that no longer work can be recycled and used to benefit efforts to protect the king of the beasts. A special recycling project called “Lights for Lions” at Audubon Zoo can put those old strands of lights to good use by donating them instead of tossing them into the trash.
From now through January 13, 2025, Audubon Zoo will have a large collection box set up for people to drop off old unwanted string lights for recycling. The box is located just in front of the Zoo entrance. Audubon will recycle the lights and proceeds from the “Lights for Lions” project will be used to help support the Wildlife Conservation Network’s Lion Recovery Fund. Every donated string of lights makes a difference and raises funds for this important project that strives to increase the number of lions in the wild by protecting them, their prey and their habitat.
Audubon Zoo has four lions in its pride: Arnold, Kali, Nia and Zuri. While our lions receive world-class care, the numbers of these beautiful animals in the wild are rapidly declining. In just a quarter century, the population of wild African lions has dropped by half. The main threats to African lions are poaching, conflicts with humans, decline of their natural prey, as well as habitat loss, climate change and the illegal wildlife trade. With just 23,000 African lions left in the wild, they are now officially classified as 'vulnerable'. Their loss signals the critical loss of the wild in Africa.
“Donating old unwanted holiday lights not only keeps these lights out of landfills which protects animals here at home, it also raises money to help lions in the wild,” said Daine Appleberry, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Audubon Zoo & Park. “Donating to this recycling project is as easy as dropping off unwanted lights in our donation box.”
Most string lights are not bio-degradable and are dangerous to animals if they get tangled in the strands, so recycling through the “Lights for Lions” project helps protect other animals from harm.
COLLECTION DATES:
Now through January 13th
COLLECTION BOX:
Audubon Zoo Front Entrance
Participating is as easy as bringing your old lights to the Zoo and tossing them in the donation box.
Please do not add bags or boxes in the recycle box—only string lights!
