[Columbia, SC] - In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Riverbanks Society, the private, not for profit arm of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, has pledged a donation of $7,500 to help the employees of facilities damaged during the storms.

"While neither Audubon Park Zoo nor the Aquarium of the Americas suffered major structural damage, both facilities will be closed for many months," said Perry Shuping, President of the Riverbanks Society Board.

Riverbanks Society has responded to a formal initiative of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) spearheaded by Kevin Bell, President and CEO of the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. In only two weeks since the AZA called their 211 member institutions to action, the initiative has raised over $700,000.

The proceeds will be managed by the Executive Committee of the AZA along with the Audubon Nature Institute, which manages both the Audubon Park Zoo and the Aquarium of the Americas. While both institutions weathered the initial storm, the Aquarium lost almost its entire fish collection when backup generators ran out of fuel, causing the life support systems for the various tanks to fail. Species that did survive were evacuated to other aquariums.

Zoo and aquarium employees face a difficult year ahead. With many animals being shipped elsewhere for the duration of the clean-up and with the institutions' gates closed, many jobs have been temporarily put on hold at a time when employees trying to rebuild their own homes cannot afford to be jobless.

"This fund is intended to help fellow zoo and aquarium professionals make it through the rebuilding and recovery process, so that ultimately they can all get back to doing what they love to do - caring for animals," Shuping said.

The AZA fund has now been opened to the public and people who would like to make a donation can visit the Lincoln Park Zoo's website at www.lpzoo.org and click on "Hurricane Relief" or mail a check made out to the Lincoln Park Zoological Society to: Lincoln Park Zoo, P.O. Box 14903, Chicago, IL 60614, Attn: Hurricane Katrina Relief.

In response to the large number of evacuees in the Columbia area, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is also offering free admission to Hurricane evacuees who show their South Carolina Cares identification card at the gate.