Columbus Zoo and Aquarium & AEP Ohio Celebrate Forestry Friday Giraffe Feedings

Powell, Ohio - AEP Ohio and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium are celebrating Forestry Fridays, a unique opportunity for zoogoers to learn more about the work AEP Ohio's forestry team does to help keep the power on and see firsthand how it also benefits animals.

Through its Trim to Treat® partnership, some of the trees and branches the AEP Ohio forestry crews regularly trim are donated and delivered to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and
The Wilds. These fresh tree trimmings, also known as browse, are not only important to the animals' diets but also beneficial for enrichment.

On Forestry Fridays, zoogoers are invited to a complimentary experience, where they will have the unique opportunity to feed a giraffe some of the fresh branches and twigs AEP Ohio trims away from its power lines and equipment.

"Our team loves sharing this special opportunity with customers," said Dale Hopkins, region forestry manager, AEP Ohio. "We hope everyone gets a chance to see how the trees we trim right here in our community make a difference for animals at the Zoo."

Complimentary Giraffe Feeding Details

Visitors can pick up a complimentary giraffe feeding voucher from the AEP Ohio forestry team in the Heart of Africa region beginning at 10 a.m. on July 26 and August 30, 2024, while supplies last. Vouchers can be redeemed anytime through October during scheduled giraffe feedings throughout the day. Feeding opportunities with browse will be available on the Forestry Friday dates from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dates and times are subject to change depending on weather and other factors. Additional details and updates can be found here.

"Since the start of the Trim to Treat partnership nearly three years ago, AEP Ohio has delivered a steady supply of browse for the animals," said Dr. Jan Ramer, senior vice president animal care and conservation, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and The Wilds. "It's truly a win-win partnership that we're excited for more visitors to experience up close and personal during Forestry Fridays."

To learn more about the partnership and how it works, visit AEPOhio.com/Trim-to-Treat.

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About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Home to more than 10,000 animals representing over 600 species worldwide, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads by making a positive impact on people, wildlife, and wild places. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also manages The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a wildlife conservation organization with regional, national and global impact, annually supporting conservation and research projects locally and worldwide. For more information, please visit ColumbusZoo.org.

About AEP Ohio

AEP Ohio is based in Gahanna, Ohio, and is a unit of American Electric Power. AEP Ohio provides electricity to 1.5 million customers. News and information about AEP Ohio can be found at AEPOhio.com.

At American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, we understand that our customers and communities depend on safe, reliable and affordable power. Our nearly 17,000 employees operate and maintain more than 40,000 miles of transmission lines, the nation's largest electric transmission system, and more than 225,000 miles of distribution lines to deliver power to 5.6 million customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with approximately 29,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including nearly 6,000 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP is investing $43 billion over the next five years to make the electric grid cleaner and more reliable. We are on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and have a goal to achieve net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement and inclusion. AEP's family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.

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