![](https://heysocal.com/wp-content/themes/heymediadev/assets/img/logos/beacon_white.png)
![](https://heysocal.com/wp-content/themes/heymediadev/assets/img/logos/logo-white.png)
The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, which supports the LA Zoo, raised more than $1.4 million during Saturday’s Beastly Ball gala and silent auction, the zoo announced Tuesday.
“Returning in person for the 2022 Beastly Ball was exhilarating, and it was great to see so many sponsors, friends, and animal lovers come out in support of GLAZA and the Zoo’s mission,” said GLAZA President Tom Jacobson. “This year’s honorees are truly exceptional. Their contributions to the fields of science, animal and human health, and environmental responsibility will have profound and lasting effects for generations.”
The ball was hosted by comedian and actor Joel McHale. The evening’s honorees were B. Natterson-Horrowitz and Kathryn Bowers, who co-authored the books “Zoobiquity” and “Wildhood,” which explore how the planet’s species are interconnected and highlight the link between animal and human health and adolescent development, GLAZA said.
Businessman and documentary producer Stephen Badger was given the Conservation Hero Award for his leadership in corporate sustainability, according to GLAZA.
More than 150 items were auctioned off, including items from travel, sports, entertainment and art. An Ultimate Softball Game Experience at Dodger Stadium fetched $12,000., a Los Angeles Lakers suite brought in $10,000. a Goodyear Blimp ride was auctioned for $9,000. and a guitar signed by guitarist and GLAZA trustee Slash was won for $5,000
Items from the estate of Betty White, who was a trustee and honorary zookeeper before her death, generated nearly $23,000. The auction brought in more than $210,000., beating the record of any Beastly Ball auction.
“It was truly an unforgettable moment at the LA Zoo for the first in-person Beastly Ball since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Denise M. Verret, LA Zoo CEO and Zoo Director. “I am thrilled that so many people came out to see our beautiful Zoo, enjoyed an electric atmosphere, and reflected on the legacy of our dear friend, Betty White, who championed the Los Angeles Zoo and our vital work in conservation during her lifetime. This momentous show of support to GLAZA continues to help their mission of supporting the LA Zoo, and for that, I am eternally grateful.”
The funding will be used to support the zoo and fund wildlife conservation locally and abroad, according to GLAZA.
We are able to provide high-quality political journalism to you for free thanks to our advertisers. So that you can continue to enjoy HEYSOCAL's in-depth reporting, we ask that you please turn off your ad blocker and come on in, free of charge.
Subscribe to our newsletter for this giveaway and many more. Also, stay in the loop for SoCal news and updates.
Your subscription has been confirmed. You've been added to our list and will hear from us soon.
Your request has been confirmed! We will get in touch with you shortly.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Essential Cookies should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.
Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.
Please enable Essential Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!
You can find more information about our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy