Meet a Cheetah and Dr. Laurie Marker at the 12th Annual Cheetah Conservation Fundraising Benefit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Liz Georges, Communications Coordinator, liz@cheetah.org

Meet a Cheetah and Dr. Laurie Marker at the 12th Annual Cheetah Conservation Fundraising Benefit

SEPTEMBER 26, 2013 (Alexandria, VA) — Area residents will have a unique opportunity to help the world’s fastest land mammal and meet one of the cheetah’s foremost champions on Thursday, October 24, 2013. The DC Chapter of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) hosts a benefit event that will feature a presentation by CCF Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Laurie Marker, and an appearance by an “ambassador cheetah.” Dr. Marker was recently honored with the International Conservation Caucus Foundation’s “Good Steward” Award in DC on September 18th.

The event, now in its 12th year, will be held from 6:30-9:00pm at the Georgetown waterfront conference center of Foley & Lardner, LLP, at 3000 K Street, Washington, DC. Tickets are $125 per person, $50 for children under 18. Special VIP tickets at $250 provide access to a private preview reception from 5:30-6:30pm with Dr. Laurie Marker, and an opportunity to meet the “ambassador cheetah” courtesy of the Columbus Zoo. The cheetah, which also does appearances with “Jungle” Jack Hanna, is specially trained to serve as an educational ambassador to the public teaching about the plight of the cheetah in the wild.

All proceeds from the event will benefit CCF, the global leader in cheetah conservation and research. Dr. Marker moved from her position at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC to Namibia to found CCF in 1990. From humble beginnings interviewing local farmers for field research, Dr. Marker has built an impressive International Field Research and Education Centre that comprises 100,000 acres, a vet clinic, genetics lab, model farm with goats, sheep and cows, livestock guarding dogs, and approximately 52 orphaned or injured cheetahs.

Dr. Marker will be available for in-person media appearances and interviews on October 23 and 24. Phone interviews may be arranged on other dates. Please contact CCF Communications Coordinator, Liz Georges at liz@cheetah.org to schedule an interview.

Dr. Laurie Marker is a recipient of the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, The Tech Museum’s Intel Environmental Prize, and a two-time finalist for the prestigious Indianapolis Prize. She was named a Hero for the Planet by Time magazine and has been featured in Smithsonian magazine as well as on numerous television shows, including The Tonight Show, Good Morning America and the Today Show.

Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) is the global leader in research and conservation of cheetahs. It is a USA 501c3 with field headquarters in Namibia. CCF is dedicated to saving the cheetah in the wild. CCF believes that understanding the cheetah’s biology, ecology, and interactions with people is essential to conserve the cheetah in the wild. The strategy is a three-pronged process of research, conservation and education, beginning with long-term studies to understand and monitor the factors affecting the cheetah’s survival. Results are used to develop conservation policies and programs. CCF works with local, national and international communities to raise awareness, communicate, and educate.