Purpose
The AAZK’s Bowling for Rhinos (BFR) provides zoo keepers of the world with an avenue to raise funds and awareness for rhino and habitat conservation.
AAZK realized that the zoo keepers of the world were extremely conservation oriented and wanted to help save rhinos and their habitats, yet did not have the financial resources themselves to make any significant impact. That’s when the idea came to start a national bowl-a-thon called Bowling For Rhinos.
In 1990, AAZK began by supporting the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (formerly Ngare Sergoi Rhino Sanctuary) in Kenya and has since expanded the program.
The beauty of the idea is that these fundraisers are organized by volunteers, who donate their time and organizational skills to help raise money to send directly to the places in need. Since all the people involved are volunteers, 100% of all event proceeds and online donations are sent directly to these in situ rhino conservation areas!
Who does BFR support?
In Kenya, Africa, BFR supports the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy where our donations help protect both black and white rhinos and most of the other species native to East Africa.
In Indonesia BFR supports the remaining Javan Rhinos at Ujung Kulon National Park and the Sumatran Rhinos in Bukit Barisan Selatan and Way Kambas National Parks through the International Rhino Foundation.
BFR also supports Action for Cheetahs in Kenya. Cheetahs share much of the same habitat as rhinos and by working to conserve cheetahs we are also saving rhinos and the countless other species that call that habitat home.
Many organizations participate in these events and have added the Rocking For Rhinos, Rummage For Rhinos, and Recycling For Rhinos projects as other ways to raise funds for this very worthwhile project.
If you have more questions about the Bowling for Rhinos event, please visit the FAQ page.
Donate
AAZK’s Bowling For Rhinos has broken the $7 million mark and we continue to meet and surpass our goal of $600,000 per year! With our AAZK Chapters and individual donors AAZK continues to make a significant difference in rhino and multi-species conservation.
Individuals may make a donation to AAZK’s Bowling for Rhinos by clicking the link below. Individual donations may be attributed to a sanctioned AAZK Chapter event by selecting the event from the drop down menu within the donation form.
Total BFR Funds Raised form 1990 to Date:
$7,208,763.97
2017 Funds Raised (Final)
A NEW RECORD!
$607,580.69
Board Oversight – Conservation Team
Azzara Oston
Azzara.Oston@aazk.org
BFR Program Contacts for Sanctioned Event Holders
AAZK BFR Program Manager – Carol McCallum
Carol.McCallum@aazk.org
Vice Manager – Kym Janke
Kym.Janke@aazk.org
Only AAZK Chapters or approved entities have AAZK permission to hold a sanctioned AAZK Bowling for Rhinos Event. For more information contact our BFR Program Managers.
Please send your Chapter’s contact person/contact information along with the date of your event to our BFR Program Managers (Carol.McCallum@aazk.org and/or Kym.Janke@aazk.org)
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AAZK Chapters – Please do not utilize the “Donation” button on the Home page to forward event monies or registration fees. AAZK Chapters may phone the AAZK Office to make a Registration Fee payment at (520) 298-9688 or contact Ed.Hansen@aazk.org.
AAZK Chapters – There is a Registration Fee (payable to AAZK) to receive a Sanction from AAZK to hold a BFR event.
Please note that in $2018 (ONLY) this fee has been increased to $50.00 to administrate a special raffle to benefit our BFR Event Chapters and Sanctioned events. AAZK will deposit 50% of the Registration Fee directly into the 2018 BFR totals.
The Registration (Sanction) fee will enable the AAZK Chapter to receive a BFR Event Kit which contains the Guidelines and Forms required to hold a BFR Event The BFR Registration (Sanction) fee covers a portion of the administrative costs so that 100% of all donation can go directly to rhino conservation.
****Please forward all BFR Registration Fees (payable to AAZK) and BFR Event Monies (payable to AAZK/BFR) and
Send to:
AAZK-BFR
8476 E. Speedway Blvd. Suite 204
Tucson, AZ 85710-1728
Applications being accepted for the Bowling for Rhinos Conservation Resource Grant
Sponsorship Form
Bowling for Rhinos Awards – 2016
Conservation Resource Grant – Peregrine Fund – Time is of the essence: identifying poisoning hotspots and key conservation
areas for critically endangered vultures in northern Kenya
Top Individual Fundraisers – Bowling for Rhinos 2017
Jill Werner – Los Angeles AAZK Chapter, Lewa trip winner
Deserrai Buunk – Toronto AAZK Chapter, Lewa trip winner
Charlie Hyde – San Diego AAZK Chapter, Indonesia trip winner
Toni Piccolotti – Jacksonville AAZK Chapter, Indonesia trip winner
Anna Merz Rhino Champion Award
Mandy Siegel – Greater Baltimore AAZK Chapter, Lewa
2017 Bowling for Rhinos Chapter Award
Top Chapter Fundraisers – 2017
Los Angeles Chapter
San Diego AAZK Chapter
Greater Cincinnati AAZK Chapter
Toronto AAZK Chapter
Top Ten BFR Chapters: 1990 to 2017
Los Angeles AAZK Chapter – $377,057.86
Oklahoma City AAZK Chapter – $333,052.78
Portland AAZK Chapter – $330,523,91
San Diego AAZK Chapter – $285,307.31
Dallas AAZK Chapter – $268,904.93
Utah AAZK Chapter – $266,457.72
Detroit AAZK Chapter $228,966.33
Lincoln Park Chapter $189,285.04
North Carolina Chapter $177,136.39
Indianapolis AAZK Chapter $176,418.70