The Nashville Predators Foundation donated funds raised from the sale of the 2019 Nashville Predators team calendars to support Nashville Zoo's animal conservation efforts around the globe. The check for $44,063.05 was presented to Rick Schwartz, Nashville Zoo President and CEO and Julie W. Walker, Nashville Zoo Board Chair, at the Tuesday, March 19 hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“The Nashville Predators Foundation has been a tremendous community partner and supports many worthwhile causes in Middle Tennessee,” said Suzanne Iler, Nashville Zoo Chief Development Officer. “We’re fortunate to work with the foundation and be able to contribute these proceeds to our global conservation efforts.”
Nashville Zoo partnered with the Nashville Predators Foundation this past summer and fall to assist in creating their 2019 Nashville Predators team calendar. Players visited the Zoo to interact with a variety of animals, and several of Nashville Zoo’s species even made a trip to Bridgestone Arena.
The Behavioral Husbandry team trained many of the animals beforehand to make sure they were comfortable during the photo shoot, such as training the Harris’s Hawk, Diego, to perch on a left-handed goalie glove instead of a smaller brown glove he works with regularly.
“It was a lot of fun working with the Predators,” said Jac Menish, Nashville Zoo Curator of Behavioral Husbandry. “It was interesting to see each player’s reaction to the animals. Some were nervous, some were excited, but they all had great attitudes and enjoyed themselves.”
In addition to some amazing photos, captured by team photographer John Russell, the calendar includes information on Nashville Zoo's work to further species survival both in human care and in the wild.
2019 Nashville Predators team calendars are still available for purchase for $10 here.