Living Desert hosts 24th annual Zoobilee

It was the cat’s meow at an African-themed party in Palm Desert Saturday night.

Nearly 500 people were on the prowl for the the 24th annual Zoobilee, the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens biggest fundraiser of the year.

“Tonight is really an out-reach to the community, our donors and supporters have a chance to come here, have a great event and learn a little bit more about what it takes to run a facility like the Living Desert and our great conservation education mission here,” President and CEO, Allen Monroe, told CBS Local 2 ‘s and KESQ News Channel 3’s Katie Widner.

The event was the spot to be at for animal lovers in the Coachella Valley.

“Year of the Cheetah, yay! Save the Cheetah,” exclaimed Marisa Katnic, who sits on the board of the Cheetah Conservation Fund.

The event boasted special, guest-appearances by CBS Local 2’s Brooke Beare, who was master of ceremonies of the gala, and Johari the cheetah, on loan from the San Diego Zoo. Sponsors were able to take pictures with the animal. Attendees enjoyed a cocktail hour, silent auction and plenty of photo opportunities with other zoo animals.

“All of the characters, and then the animals they had as you walk in. To see a snake and an owl when it’s not in your tree but up close, I mean, it’s wonderful,” said sponsor Carol Ann Zale.

An orange cheetah carpet beckoned attendees into the cocktail area. The night concluded with dinner and a live auction. One of the items up for grabs was naming rights to the zoo’s recently-born jaguar.

“A lot of the funds we raise tonight are going to our conservation efforts directly,” said director of animal programs, Roxanna Breitigan. “Not only to help the animals here, which indirectly help conservation efforts, but really right back to the field.”

Living Desert has dedicated 2017 the “Year of the Cheetah” to help bring awareness to efforts to prevent the animal from going extinct.