THE BRONX ZOO’S 125TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT THE EXPLORERS CLUB
Monday, October 7th, 2024 – New York, NY To celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Bronx Zoo, Jim Breheny, its Director and Executive Vice President of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Zoos and Aquarium, gave a video and slide presentation followed by a Q&A session and then reception in the Explorers Club headquarters in New York. He recounted the history of the Bronx Zoo and offered a behind the scenes look at the zoo’s efforts to educate millions about animals while working to protect wildlife and nature around the world.
Mr. Breheny noted the close connection between the founders of the Bronx Zoo and of the Explorers Club and discussed the evolution of the zoological and conservation movements. He recalled how the Bronx Zoo led an effort to ethically care for animals within naturalistic settings rather than cages and to offer veterinary and breeding services. He discussed the critical role played by the Bronx Zoo and its parent organization, the Wildlife Conservation Society, in identifying and protecting endangered species, and their work in 60 countries. Mr. Breheny also described the extraordinary service performed by Bronx Zoo managers and associates during the Covid 19 pandemic, who continued to dutifully report to work, caring for animals, and also establishing and maintaining on its site a large Covid 19 testing center for New York City residents.
In describing the Bronx Zoo’s mission, Mr. Breheny passionately stated “We don’t exist to be a well-run menagerie. That’s not why I do this. We have a higher purpose. And that higher purpose is the conservation of species in the wild. It all comes down to this: we need to provide the best care and welfare for the individual animals we keep, we must manage the species we keep sustainably for the future, and we must work to connect our animals and exhibits to species in the wild and use them to inspire and empower our visitors to support our efforts to save them. We have a huge responsibility, and we must deliver on it.”
Here is a video of the event, which was streamed worldwide on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhQjdS8RqHo
AIAC Chairman, L. M. Levie, who serves as both a Trustee of the Explorers Club and a Member of the Heritage Circle of the Wildlife Conservation Society, commented “The Bronx Zoo is an international treasure. The citizens of New York and the world owe Jim Breheny and his dedicated staff a debt of profound gratitude, for their superb stewardship of a great institution and for their unsung heroism during the Covid 19 pandemic.”
Mr. Levie continued, “The Explorers Club and the Bronx Zoo are inextricably linked due to our organizations’ common early leaders, most notably US President Theodore Roosevelt. Our two organizations are also linked by our shared mission of nature conservation, identification and protection of endangered species, and education. This is a noble common bond and legacy.”
Mr. Levie composed the following poem to commemorate the 125th Year Anniversary of the Founding of the Bronx Zoo, which he presented to Mr. Breheny and the Board of Directors of the Wildlife Conservation Society.
About American Industrial Acquisition Corporation
American Industrial Acquisition Corporation (AIAC) is a diversified industrial group with manufacturing and distribution sites in 24 countries in North America, Europe, and Asia. AIAC has acquired and grown non-core subsidiaries and divisions of Boeing, Siemens, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Johnson Controls, Merck, Pfizer, Astellas, Visteon, Carlyle, Ahlstrom, Tolko, Groupe Suez, Groupe Rexel, and many other leading multinational corporations.
AIAC companies serve companies and governmental entities worldwide in all major sectors, including aviation, space, defense, automotive, truck, rail, marine, petrochemical, solar, nuclear, food, confectionary, beverage, civil engineering and infrastructure, commercial construction, mining, dredging, disaster relief, education, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. AIAC companies manufacture materials, components, assemblies, packaging, equipment, and finished products. In addition, AIAC companies are exclusive, authorized distributors of leading branded industrial and consumer products throughout Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. AIAC is a leading manufacturer of building, street, and highway signage in Europe, signage and illumination structures in North America, and a distributor of electrical products throughout France.
Of note, AIAC purchased Boeing Canada in 2005 and has produced over 10,000 unique components for every Boeing jet plane ever since, reliably serving Boeing from manufacturing facilities in North America. A leader in ultra-high precision jet engine component manufacturing, AIAC companies produce 2,200 fan blades and blisks for each jet engine produced by GE, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce, and Honeywell. AIAC companies produce the critical automotive wire and cable for Tesla, GM, Ford, Chrysler- Fiat, Toyota, and Nissan. In connection with its kraft paper manufacturing interests in Canada and the US, AIAC controls and sustainably manages 22 million acres of Manitoba, Canada forestland, an area equivalent in size to the nation of Hungary.
AIAC companies actively support exploration into outer space, manufacturing critical components for launching and propelling spacecraft and satellites. AIAC customers in this sector include NASA, the European Space Agency, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Boeing. AIAC companies also lead in the design and manufacture of undersea umbilical cables for worldwide oceanographic research.
Another AIAC affiliate, located in Germany, designs, manufactures and distributes high performance emergency portable power generators required during natural disasters, including extreme climate events worldwide. Clients include government agencies and the International Red Cross.
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About AIAC Philanthropy
AIAC and the AIAC Foundation support a wide range of nonprofit, nonsectarian, bipartisan organizations which promote international conflict resolution, disaster relief, economic development, environmental sustainability, and exploration. The exploration-focused nonprofit organizations which they actively support include the Explorers Club, the National Geographic Society, the Royal Geographical Society, the American Museum of Natural History and the Hayden Planetarium, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Space Society, and the United States Space Foundation.
In recent months, AIAC Companies have proudly served as a corporate sponsor of Hubert Sagniere’s historic circumnavigation of the earth in a single-engine plane (www.flightaroundtheglobe.com).
AIAC’s other beneficiaries include the Appeal of the Nobel Peace Laureates Foundation Inc., the Asia Society, the Atlantic Council, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - Gates Philanthropy Partners, the Bretton Woods Committee, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the Carter Center, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Economic Club of New York, the Foreign Policy Association, the Institut Française des Relations Internationales, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Crisis Group, the International Rescue Committee, the Japan Society, the JFK School of Government of Harvard University, the Peterson Institute for International Economics, the Richardson Center for Global Engagement, the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), the Sierra Club, and the Trilateral Commission.
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https://www.aiac.com/our-values
About the Wildlife Conservation Society
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a global organization dedicated to the conservation of the world's wildlife and their habitats. Established in 1895, WCS operates with a mission to save wildlife and wild places through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. With its headquarters at the Bronx Zoo in New York City, WCS manages a network of urban wildlife parks, including the Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and the New York Aquarium.
WCS works across 60 countries and in all the world’s oceans, focusing on species conservation, the protection of endangered ecosystems, and the promotion of sustainable natural resource use. The organization applies rigorous scientific research to inform conservation efforts, from protecting elephants and tigers to preserving marine ecosystems. In addition to on-the-ground conservation work, WCS advocates for policy changes at local, national, and international levels to ensure long-term protection of biodiversity.
WCS also plays a vital role in public education and outreach, raising awareness about wildlife conservation through its parks and various programs. It collaborates with governments, communities, and other organizations to create strategies for the sustainable management of natural resources and the protection of critical habitats, ensuring that wildlife and ecosystems can thrive for future generations.
For further information, please see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife_Conservation_Society
About the Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo, located in Bronx Park in New York City, is one of the largest and most famous zoos in the world, covering 265 acres and home to over 6,000 animals representing more than 700 species. Managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the zoo is dedicated to wildlife conservation, education, and scientific research. Since its founding in 1899, the Bronx Zoo has played a pioneering role in protecting endangered species, advancing scientific knowledge, and inspiring a passion for wildlife conservation.
The zoo’s history began when it opened under the management of the New York Zoological Society (now WCS) with the mission of advancing zoological knowledge and conserving wildlife. Its founders, including notable figures like William Temple Hornaday and Madison Grant, aimed to establish a facility that would not only exhibit animals but also lead the world in wildlife protection and scientific research. Early on, the Bronx Zoo was instrumental in the creation of breeding programs to save species like the American bison from extinction. The zoo's bison program helped to reintroduce bison to the wild, setting the stage for its ongoing leadership in global conservation efforts.
The Bronx Zoo was designed with expansive, naturalistic exhibits that set it apart from earlier, more cramped zoo models. Over the decades, it continued to innovate with groundbreaking exhibits like the African Plains, which allowed large animals like lions, zebras, and giraffes to roam freely in open spaces, and the Congo Gorilla Forest, an immersive rainforest exhibit featuring Western lowland gorillas. Other highlights include the World of Birds, the Himalayan Highlands for snow leopards, and the Sea Lion Pool.
Today, the Bronx Zoo is a major hub for wildlife conservation, public education, and research. It supports global conservation projects in over 60 countries through WCS, helping protect endangered species and ecosystems. The zoo also offers a range of educational programs and exhibits, providing visitors with opportunities to engage with animals and learn about the importance of conservation. Its blend of rich history, conservation efforts, and immersive exhibits has made the Bronx Zoo a beloved destination and an influential force in the field of zoology and wildlife preservation.
For further information, please see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronx_Zoo
About the Explorers Club
The Explorers Club is a world-renowned international organization dedicated to promoting scientific exploration and field research across land, sea, air, and space. Founded in 1904 in New York City, the club was created to unite explorers, scientists, and adventurers involved in expeditions to uncharted territories, providing a platform for the exchange of knowledge and collaboration on significant discoveries. Its mission is to advance the cause of exploration, encourage scientific research, and inspire the next generation of explorers.
The club was born from the vision of a group of prominent adventurers and scientists, including Henry Collins Walsh, Adolphus Greely, and Carl Lumboltz, who sought a place where those pushing the limits of human endurance and curiosity could gather. Early on, the club became a meeting ground for individuals who were mapping the world’s unknown regions, from the polar ice caps to the deepest jungles. Over time, the Explorers Club attracted some of the greatest explorers and scientific minds in history.
Famous members of the club include many iconic figures who have made their mark on history. Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States and an avid explorer of the Amazon and Africa, was an honorary member. Aviator Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, was a pioneering member, as was Walter Cronkite, the legendary news anchor who chronicled many of the 20th century’s great scientific achievements. Astronauts John Glen and Neil Armstrong, the first to walked on the moon, were also members.
Other notable members include Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to summit Mount Everest, Charles Lindbergh, who made the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight, and Thor Heyerdahl, known for the Kon-Tiki expedition across the Pacific. The club’s roster also includes oceanographer Sylvia Earle, deep-sea explorer Robert Ballard, who discovered the wreck of the Titanic. It is also known for embracing the next generation of explorers, such as modern-day space pioneers and conservationists.
The club’s headquarters, located at 46 East 70th Street in Manhattan, is a historic landmark filled with artifacts, maps, and memorabilia from expeditions around the globe. The building serves as a meeting place for members, and it regularly hosts lectures, special events, and its famed annual dinner, which attracts the world's leading explorers and scientists. The Explorers Club Flag, first introduced in 1918, is awarded to expeditions of scientific merit, and has been carried to the highest mountains, the deepest oceans, the North and South Poles, and even to the moon.
Today, the Explorers Club continues to support and sponsor expeditions in fields ranging from archaeology and anthropology to oceanography and space exploration. The club provides grants and fellowships to emerging explorers, while also educating the public about the importance of conservation and exploration. Its motto, "To the Field," captures its enduring commitment to advancing human knowledge through exploration and scientific discovery.
With its distinguished history and its continued role in shaping the future of exploration, the Explorers Club remains one of the most influential organizations in the world for those seeking to uncover the unknown.
The Explorers Club continues to attract an elite group of modern-day pioneers, entrepreneurs, and scientists who push the boundaries of exploration and discovery. Among its current distinguished members are some of the most influential figures in various fields. Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and Blue Origin, and Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, represent the new frontier of space exploration. Buzz Aldrin, the second person to walk on the moon, remains an active symbol of human space exploration. Jane Goodall, the renowned primatologist and conservationist, champions the cause of wildlife and environmental preservation through her membership. Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Galactic, embodies the spirit of adventure and innovation in both space tourism and exploration. Ray Dalio, the billionaire investor and philanthropist, and D.E. Shaw, the influential hedge fund manager, are both dedicated to supporting global scientific initiatives.
The Explorers Club also includes royalty among its ranks. Prince Albert II of Monaco, a passionate advocate for environmental protection, and the King of Bhutan, known for his environmental and conservation efforts, are both members. Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg, who was made an honorary member of the club, is a supporter of exploration and scientific research, further cementing the club's global influence. The late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, a noted aviator and conservationist, was a long time member.
For further information, please see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Explorers_Club
Media Contact:
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American Industrial Acquisition Corporation
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