Beastly Ball: responsibility for all species

A planet for all species, not just ours

The LA Zoo’s Beastly Ball

What’s better than roaming around the zoo after the public has gone home?

Roaming around the zoo and knowing it’s for a noble cause.

The Beastly Ball is L.A.’s biggest fundraiser devoted to wildlife conservation, and each year those with deep pockets reach into them in order to help raise money for conservation projects in the U.S. and around the world. Billed as a “wild night of food, fun, and fundraising,” the event is taking place on Saturday, May 18, just one day after national Endangered Species Day.

The 2019 Beastly Ball Honoree is Dr. Sylvia A. Earle, who is a renowned marine biologist, explorer, and author. Additionally, Dr. Earle was the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and in 1998 Time magazine anointed her their first-ever Hero for the Planet.

Also being honored: Glen Curado, who is the founder and CEO of World Harvest Charities and Family Services, and just retired GLAZA president Connie Morgan.

The Beastly Ball is a cornucopia of tasty food and exquisite beverages. Among my favorites would have to be the Cajun dry rubbed pecan smoked wings, served with spicy Bourbon honey, offered by the 1933 Group’s Sassafras Saloon, and the Gold Rush cocktail, which features fresh lemon, honey, and 10-year-old rye whiskey, courtesy of WhistlePig Whiskey.

But the list of great-tasting stuff really does go on and on. The dining and beverage partners for the fundraiser include Bottlefish Restaurant, Kabuki Japanese Restaurant, Smoke House Restaurant, TAIX French Restaurant, Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs, and Nectar of the Gods Wine. And about 15 more, just in case you’re wondering.

This kind of fun, and seriousness, doesn’t come cheap, but the end goal is to solidly support conservation and education, and we all know what a dire predicament we’re facing as the climate changes, human beings destroy habitats, and animal species become scarce and even go extinct. Not a pretty picture. This is one way to contribute and to do some good.

The Beastly Ball takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles. Tickets are $1,500. Call (323) 644-9105 or go to lazoo.org/beastlyball.com. ER