FELIZ AÑO 2016.

N I C K Y

Allison Alberts, San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy <wildlifeconservancy@sandiegozoo.org>

Dear Armonía,

What do you look forward to when you first wake up in the morning? The smell of a fresh cup of coffee? The sounds of birds chirping? Or perhaps the warm feeling of the sun as it rises and signals the start of a brand-new day? My friend Nicky, a black rhino, also enjoys the morning—but in his very own way.

Nicky is blind and relies solely upon the constant care of his keepers to survive. Without the ability to see, he couldn't keep up with his mom in the wild and was destined to die. At 4 days old he was rescued by partners of San Diego Zoo Global and hand raised back to health. They bottle-fed him around the clock, kept him warm at night, and most importantly—kept him safe from poachers.

Today, at 3 years old, Nicky's keepers have taught him how to use his sense of smell to find food, how to listen for danger lurking in the bush, and how to feel his way forward using the sensitive pads on the bottoms of his feet. Like most rhinos, Nicky's favorite part of the day is a stroll to the local watering hole where he wallows in the mud and gets tuckered out before taking an afternoon nap. His keepers are always by his side, guiding him through the thick brush and teaching him how to survive while keeping an ever watchful eye.

Tragically, not all animals are safe like Nicky. There's a raging epidemic endangering animals across the globe—and it's completely preventable. It's called wildlife trafficking, and it threatens the very existence of our most majestic animals.

Every day, 3 rhinos are murdered for their horns. Today, 96 elephants will be shot and killed for their ivory tusks. Poached for their skin and bones, fewer than 350 Sumatran tigers are left in the wild. And countless other animals, large and small, aren't faring any better.

These violent and heartless acts of greed are senseless and must stop before it's too late. As worldwide leaders dedicated to saving species, we're expanding our efforts to stop wildlife trafficking. But we can't do it alone and we need your help!

Your tax-deductible gift to the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy will increase anti-poaching patrols to protect rhinos, elephants, tigers, gorillas, and many others. Your support will also create safe havens for helpless animals that need us most, like Nicky. And your donation will spread the word about wildlife trafficking and reduce the demand for wildlife products. Surprisingly the United States is the second largest destination for these illegal items and your gift will help put an end to this horrific trade.

With 100% of your donation going directly to these life-saving efforts, you will make a difference!

Armonía , can Nicky and I count on your help?

San Diego Zoo Global is dedicated to saving species. In the 1960's the Arabian oryx had been hunted to extinction in the wild. Through collaborative conservation efforts, we brought them back, reintroduced them into safe sanctuaries, and today they are thriving in the wild! The same success of bringing animals back from the brink of extinction is true for others species as well like the giant panda, California condor, and Przewalski's horse.

Just like Nicky, we see a bright future ahead. With your help, we can change the course of history.

On behalf of Nicky, and all of us at San Diego Zoo Global, thank you for your continued support as we join together to lead the fight against extinction and save these amazing animals.

Yours in conservation,

Allison Alberts, Ph.D.
Chief Conservation and Research Officer
San Diego Zoo Global