SVP of Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Promotes Conservation Through Geico Gecko Exhibit
Jill Nichol, senior vice president of the Association of Zoo and Aquariums (AZA), says the traveling Geico Gecko exhibit has a triumvirate purpose: imparting the importance of animal preservation; attracting urbanites to their zoos and aquariums; and encouraging other corporations to pick up the mantle of environmental advocacy.
“We hope the public will learn more about how zoos and aquariums take care of wildlife. What’s really nice about this partnership is that Geico … has started to implement conservation activities at its offices across the country,” Nichol said at the official Geico Gecko reception at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. “We hope to inspire a company to be conservation-minded and we hope to inspire the public to be conservation-minded.”
The Gecko lizard, which has seen its profile amplified exponentially as the ‘spokes-creature’ for those famous Geico commercials, will be on display in Atlanta for two months before moving on to another city.
Nichol says the Gecko Geico exhibit is another way to increase attendance and support for urban zoos and aquariums across the country that rely on public and private donations to remain viable. There are 216 accredited zoos and aquariums in the AZA, but only a select few will host the Gecko exhibit. It provides a perfect platform for Nichol’s message.
“My role is not only to provide the best animal care at our zoos and aquariums. But also to get the message out about wildlife conservation and the Geico Gecko is the perfect spokes-creature to help get that message out. So [Geico] is supporting the exhibit and with local and national advertising,” Nichol says.
If more people patronize the zoos as well as become more sympathetic to the cause of nature conservation, then Nichol considers it a victory for zoos, nature and the public. –terry shropshire
