Feline Superstars Debut This Weekend in New Endangered Species Puzzles

MILWAUKEE - May 15, 2013 - PRLog -- Milwaukee – Visitors to the Milwaukee County Zoo can take home – and piece back together – some of its feline superstars Saturday and Sunday as two new animal puzzles debut at the zoo’s gift shops and kiosks.

The two 300-piece puzzles will feature B’alam and Zean, the zoo’s incredibly cute 6-month-old jaguar cubs, and Amba and Tula, a mother-daughter pair of Amur tigers. The featured animals all reside in the zoo’s Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country (http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/visit/animals/felines.php).

The puzzles debut as part of the zoo’s “Party for the Planet (http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/events/partyfortheplanet.php),” which features activities and exhibits focused on preserving natural resources and creating a sustainable environment. The event drew more than 14,000 attendees in 2012.

Suitable for aficionados age 8 and up, each big cat puzzle is 18 by 24 inches and sells for $11.99. Proceeds from puzzle sales support the zoo’s Animal Welfare Fund, which helps pay for the care and well-being of its more than 2,000 animals (http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/visit/animals/).

The jaguars and tigers puzzles are the first of a planned series featuring endangered species. The striking, majestic images on the puzzles were taken by zoo photographer Michael A. Nepper. The next editions of the puzzle series will be available in 2014.

The puzzles are produced locally by Letterhead Press, New Berlin, using “green” production techniques. Soy-based inks are applied on paper that is source-certified as sustainable by the Forest Stewardship Council. Both the puzzle pieces and box are made of recycled materials.

The zoo’s jaguars and tigers are in the Species Survival Plan, a multi-zoo effort to promote breeding and genetic diversity among captive animals whose wild cousins are vanishing. The Amur tiger is one of eight Critically Endangered Species at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

The two new puzzles will be available at many local retailers beginning Monday. A portion of the profits from these sales will be donated to the Zoo’s Animal Welfare Fund. Participating stores include Puzzle World in Brookfield, Greenfield News & Hobby, two locations of Board Game Barristers, Anna’s Hallmark-Gold Crown in Greenfield, American Science & Surplus in Milwaukee, and four locations of Elliott’s Ace Hardware.