N.C. Zoo contest rewards kids for posters featuring endangered species

Congrats to four North Carolina kids who took home top honors in the North Carolina Zoo's poster contest to raise awareness of endangered species.

According to the zoo, 85 students participated among four age divisions - kindergarten through second grades; third through fifth grades; sixth through eighth grades; and ninth through 12th grades. Five finalists from each division were determined by zoo staff members. The winners then were chosen by select zoo and Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau staff members.

The other winners are Daniel Kim of Charlotte's blue whale in the kindergarten to second grade division; Brooke Riggs of Salisbury's Galapagos fur seal in the sixth to eighth grade division; and Jeffrey Shao of Charlotte's whooping crane in the ninth to 12th grade division.

“We appreciate so many children throughout North Carolina being a part of this contest,” Zoo Director Pat Simmons said. “It’s a unique way to combine art, research and a desire to help our planet by raising awareness of endangered species.”

Among the prizes the winners received were a one-year family membership to the zoo, a piece of art from the zoo’s resident animal ambassadors and a gift bag. The annual contest is planned again for fall 2018.