Canadian pop star Kiesza teams up with the Calgary Zoo to support gorilla conservation
Calgary, AB – On the heels of Junos week, international pop sensation Kiesza is partnering with the Calgary Zoo to protect gorilla habitat. The 27-year-old is raising her voice about cell phone recycling to help preserve these gentle giants.
“My passion for gorillas is only rivaled by my passion for music, and I was fortunate to recently travel to Rwanda where I was able to interact with mountain gorillas,” says Kiesza. “As a native Calgarian, I am thrilled to work with the Calgary Zoo on their cell phone recycling program to help increase the numbers of this endangered species.”
With Kiesza’s own passion for gorillas and the recent birth of the Calgary Zoo’s gorilla baby, it is a perfect match for the Hideaway singer to join with the zoo and engage the community in this initiative.
“The timing could not be better,” says Lisa McDonald, Manager, Visitor Education, Calgary Zoo. “We are relaunching our cell phone recycling program with another new partner, GEEP, who uses sustainable business practices in order to achieve a near zero-landfill goal. Some of the minerals that are used to coat cell phone components are mined in gorilla habitat. By recycling, we can reduce the demand for these minerals and help protect gorilla habitat.”
The Calgary Zoo has bins set-up in the TransAlta Rainforest building and at Guest Relations to encourage folks to drop off old cell phones on their next visit. Cell phones also contain other valuable metals that can be extracted and re-sold. By recycling your phone at the Calgary Zoo, ores and elements are safely reclaimed, no harmful chemicals wind up in landfills and the zoo can help animals in the wild.
Note: Kiesza visited the Calgary Zoo gorilla troop on April 1st. You can visit the newest member of the gorilla troupe now too but the baby is very popular so you may have to wait in line!
Source: Calgary Zoo