Giant Anteater Exhibit Gets Boost from UC Irvine Chancellor

Chancellor Michael Drake is doing all he can to make sure Orange County is a great place for anteaters. On May 15, he joined 125 community leaders and alumni at the Santa Ana Zoo to support the planned giant anteater exhibit.

The Tierra de las Pampas exhibit provides a special habitat where two anteaters someday will start a family. These will be Orange County’s first anteater residents – other than the famous campus mascot, Peter the Anteater.

“I love how the anteater project is bringing everyone together,” said UCI Alumni Association President Jenny Doh ’91.

Chancellor Drake was joined by prominent UCI alumni including State Assemblyman Jose Solorio ’92 and philanthropist Martha Newkirk ’72, M.A. ’76, Ph.D. ’91. Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido, Santa Ana council members David Benavides, Michele Martinez, Vince Sarmiento, Sal Tinajero and many other city leaders joined in the event.

More than $900,000 has already been raised by Southern California residents and UCI alumni to build the exhibit. Project supporters aim to raise $1.2 million and plan to break ground later this year.

State Assemblyman Jose Solorio ’92 and Chancellor Drake await their turn to praise the value of anteaters and the important contribution the Santa Ana Zoo makes to Orange County.

Help give Peter a home at the Santa Ana Zoo: Tierra de las Pampas
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