Over the last few days, people around the world have been donating to the Australian bushfire efforts including celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Chris Hemsworth, Elton John and Pink. In our own backyard, WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil is ready to match all proceeds (up to $25,000) raised by the Florida Aquarium's admission ticket sales and online donations made Saturday, January 11.
All proceeds are set to be donated to Australia Zoo’s Wildlife Hospital and rescue efforts. The zoo was started by the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin and his wife Terri. According to a release, the Austalia Zoo's Wildlife Hospital "has treated more than 90,000 patients since 2004 will use the funds to support its long-term commitment to saving wildlife and wild places and help with current relief efforts, such as building new wards for native patients impacted by the wildfires."
O'Neil, who served as co-host of the Steve Irwin Gala Dinner in Los Angeles last year, is set to match up to $25,000 of funds raised through his Bullard Family Foundation.
"Terri, Bindi, and Robert are like family to me,” O'Neil shared in the release. “During this tragic time, they are using every resource available to do everything they can to save animals injured from the bushfires. After talking with my good friends at The Florida Aquarium, who have an equal passion for saving wildlife, I knew Roger and I needed to tag-team and support Terri and the entire rescue team at Australia Zoo."
"We are absolutely overwhelmed with the brushfire situation here,” said Terri Irwin. “We can't thank our dear family friend, WWE Superstar Titus O'Neil, and his hometown aquarium, The Florida Aquarium, for teaming up to raise critical funds that will help our Wildlife Hospital rescue team save more wildlife affected by the bushfires across Australia. The conservation-minded Florida Aquarium is no stranger to saving wildlife in America and Titus is one of the most caring people on earth. Both are true Wildlife Warriors."
Don't have time to explore the Florida Aquarium this Saturday and take in all of the exhibits but still want to help the cause? You can make a donation through flaquarium.org/donate.
“As a conservation-based Aquarium fiercely dedicated to saving wildlife in our backyard and around the world, we couldn’t sit idly by and watch millions of animals, some on the brink of extinction, perish due to the devastation from the bushfires,” Germann said in the statement. “The impact to wildlife is going to be felt for generations. We are honored to team up with Titus to support our friends at Australia Zoo, the Irwin family, and their dedicated rescue experts and volunteers. We are a not-for-profit ourselves, but donating these funds to save wildlife supports our mission.”
“With extreme drought, loss of habitat, human impact, and wildfires, the work that the Wildlife Hospital’s dedicated team is providing has never been more critical,” added Germann.
The Florida Aquarium is located at 701 Channelside Dr. in Tampa and runs from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. every day. Ticket prices are $29.95 for adults, $25.20 for children, $26.70 for seniors and free for children 2 and under.
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This article appears in Jan 9-16, 2020.