Dr. Laurie Marker to Give Cathryn Hilker, Founder of Cincinnati Zoo Cat Ambassador Program, the 2017 Cheetah Conservation Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dr. Laurie Marker to Give Cathryn Hilker, Founder of Cincinnati Zoo Cat Ambassador Program, the 2017 Cheetah Conservation Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 29, 2017) – Dr. Laurie Marker, Founder and Executive Director of Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), the longest running cheetah conservation program in the world, will present its 2017 Cheetah Conservation Award to Cathryn Hilker, Founder of the Cincinnati Zoo Cat Ambassador Program at a special dinner at the zoo in Hilker’s honor. This occasion marks the first time CCF will give this award.

“Cathryn Hilker is a dear friend and big cat supporter that has been long associated with CCF and its mission of creating a permanent place for cheetahs on Earth,” said Dr. Laurie Marker. “It is an honor to know Cathryn, and I am exceptionally pleased to be giving her this award. She has dedicated a significant portion of her life to sustaining the cheetah and pioneering cat ambassador programs.”

The award will be given at an event hosted by The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden honoring Cathryn Hilker on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, beginning at 5:30 p.m. In addition to the award, the evening will include a talk by Dr. Marker, a cheetah ambassador encounter and dinner on the Africa Deck. The Cincinnati Zoo Foundation also plans to officially announce The Cathryn Hilker Angel Fund dedicated to the conservation of cats in the wild.

The event is by invitation only. Dr. Marker is available for media interview before and after the event.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Yannetti
susan@cheetah.org
202.716.7756

OR

Paula Martin
paulam@cheetah.org
817-851-4070